Divine Invitation: Understanding Faith, Grace, and Truth
Summary
In our discussion today, we delved into several profound theological questions that challenge and enrich our understanding of faith. We began by examining the common evangelical phrase "Invite Jesus into your heart," and highlighted the importance of recognizing that it is God who initiates the invitation to His kingdom. This perspective shifts the focus from human action to divine calling, emphasizing the biblical narrative where God is the one who calls us to Himself.
We also explored the relationship between justification by faith and salvation by grace. Salvation encompasses the entire journey of faith, including justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification by faith is a crucial step within the broader scope of salvation, which is ultimately a gift of grace. This understanding reinforces the interconnectedness of faith and grace in the believer's life.
Another significant topic was the nature of truth as revealed in Scripture versus truths discovered through natural revelation. All truth is God's truth, whether it is revealed through Scripture or discovered in nature. This underscores the unity of divine revelation and the consistency of God's truth across different domains of knowledge.
We addressed the issue of differing interpretations among Christians, acknowledging that while God’s revelation is clear, human sinfulness can lead to misunderstandings. The gospel remains the central truth that unites believers, even amidst secondary disagreements. This calls for humility and a recognition of our limitations in fully comprehending divine truths.
Finally, we discussed the challenges of addressing sin within the church, particularly in the context of family and community. The importance of approaching such situations with empathy, truth, and a commitment to biblical standards was emphasized. This reflects the need for pastoral care that is both compassionate and rooted in Scripture.
Key Takeaways:
1. Divine Invitation: The call to faith is initiated by God, not by our invitation to Him. This perspective emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation and encourages believers to respond to His call with humility and gratitude. [01:30]
2. Interconnectedness of Faith and Grace: Justification by faith and salvation by grace are intertwined, highlighting the comprehensive nature of salvation. This understanding encourages believers to appreciate the fullness of God's redemptive work in their lives. [04:04]
3. Unity of Truth: All truth, whether revealed in Scripture or discovered in nature, originates from God. This unity of truth calls believers to integrate their faith with their understanding of the world, recognizing God's hand in all aspects of life. [07:18]
4. Humility in Disagreement: Differing interpretations among Christians are a result of human sinfulness, not a flaw in divine revelation. This calls for humility and a focus on the gospel as the central truth that unites believers. [10:32]
5. Pastoral Care in Addressing Sin: Addressing sin within the church requires empathy, truth, and adherence to biblical standards. This approach fosters a community that is both compassionate and committed to holiness. [32:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:24] - Invitation to Faith
- [02:52] - Justification and Salvation
- [04:43] - Truth in Scripture and Nature
- [08:34] - Differing Interpretations
- [12:20] - Historical Figures and Their Flaws
- [19:41] - God's Wrath and Predestination
- [21:03] - Roman Catholicism and Salvation
- [24:01] - Giving an Account Before God
- [29:11] - Addressing Sin in Family
- [34:01] - Church Growth and Expository Preaching
- [39:30] - Baptism and Fellowship
- [48:28] - Vision of Heaven
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 55:1 - "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost."
2. Romans 9:20 - "But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’"
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the phrase "Invite Jesus into your heart" imply about the initiation of faith, and how does this differ from the biblical perspective discussed in the sermon? [01:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between justification by faith and salvation by grace? [04:04]
3. According to the sermon, how are truths revealed in Scripture and those discovered in nature related? [07:18]
4. What reasons are given in the sermon for differing interpretations among Christians, and how should believers respond to these differences? [10:32]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of divine invitation, as discussed in the sermon, change the way believers should view their relationship with God? [01:30]
2. In what ways does understanding the interconnectedness of faith and grace impact a believer's appreciation of their salvation journey? [04:04]
3. How can the unity of truth, as described in the sermon, influence a believer's approach to integrating faith with their understanding of the world? [07:18]
4. What role does humility play in addressing differing interpretations among Christians, and why is it important to focus on the gospel as the central truth? [10:32]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you were the one initiating your relationship with God. How does the understanding that God initiates the call to faith change your perspective on your spiritual journey? [01:30]
2. Consider the role of grace in your life. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the grace that underpins your salvation? [04:04]
3. Think about a truth you have discovered in nature or through science. How does recognizing it as part of God's truth enhance your faith? [07:18]
4. When faced with differing interpretations of Scripture, how can you practice humility and focus on the gospel to maintain unity with other believers? [10:32]
5. How can you approach addressing sin within your family or church community with empathy and adherence to biblical standards? [32:41]
6. Identify a situation where you have struggled with a differing interpretation of Scripture. How can you apply the sermon’s call for humility and focus on the gospel in that situation? [10:32]
7. What steps can you take to ensure that your approach to addressing sin is both compassionate and rooted in Scripture? [32:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Sovereignty in Salvation
The call to faith is not initiated by human effort but by God's sovereign invitation. This perspective shifts the focus from our actions to God's divine calling, emphasizing that it is God who draws us into His kingdom. Recognizing this truth encourages believers to respond with humility and gratitude, acknowledging that our journey of faith begins with God's initiative. This understanding of divine sovereignty in salvation reminds us that our relationship with God is a gift, not something we earn or initiate. [01:30]
"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge God's sovereignty in your life today, especially in areas where you have been striving to take control?
Day 2: The Fullness of Salvation
Justification by faith and salvation by grace are deeply interconnected, highlighting the comprehensive nature of salvation. Salvation is not just a one-time event but a journey that includes justification, sanctification, and glorification. This understanding encourages believers to appreciate the fullness of God's redemptive work in their lives, recognizing that each step is a gift of grace. By embracing this interconnectedness, we can live with a deeper sense of gratitude and assurance in our faith journey. [04:04]
"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: How can you actively remind yourself of the grace that underpins your faith journey, especially in moments of doubt or self-reliance?
Day 3: The Unity of God's Truth
All truth, whether revealed in Scripture or discovered in nature, originates from God. This unity of truth calls believers to integrate their faith with their understanding of the world, recognizing God's hand in all aspects of life. By acknowledging that all truth is God's truth, we can approach both Scripture and the natural world with a sense of wonder and reverence, seeing them as complementary revelations of God's character and will. [07:18]
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." (Psalm 19:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of wonder and reverence for God's truth in both Scripture and the natural world today?
Day 4: Humility in Theological Disagreements
Differing interpretations among Christians are a result of human sinfulness, not a flaw in divine revelation. This calls for humility and a focus on the gospel as the central truth that unites believers. By approaching theological disagreements with humility, we can foster unity within the body of Christ, recognizing our limitations in fully comprehending divine truths and prioritizing the gospel above secondary issues. [10:32]
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a theological disagreement you have with someone that you can approach with humility and a focus on unity today?
Day 5: Compassionate Pastoral Care
Addressing sin within the church requires empathy, truth, and adherence to biblical standards. This approach fosters a community that is both compassionate and committed to holiness. By balancing truth with empathy, we can create an environment where individuals feel supported and challenged to grow in their faith, reflecting the love and holiness of Christ in our interactions with one another. [32:41]
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)
Reflection: How can you approach someone in your community with empathy and truth, helping them grow in their faith while maintaining biblical standards?
Quotes
Unfortunately, I think, what has happened over the years, we’ve moved away from what is the major emphasis of the Bible, the gospel, and even the ministry of Christ. It’s not so much that we ask Christ into our hearts, as much as it is that Christ compels us and invites us to come to Him. [00:01:06]
It is always God who initiates. It’s always God who does the inviting. It is the kingdom of God that we invite people to. And what happens in that presentation, though at most instances probably has good intentions, it actually does violence to the ministry of Christ and the Spirit, because it is not so much of us inviting Christ into our lives as much as it is hearing the voice of Christ calling to us “Come! Come!” [00:01:51]
Salvation is the broader term. It’s used in every tense of the Greek verb. We were saved from the foundation of the word. We were being saved. We are saved. We’re being saved. We will be saved. Salvation is the whole package which includes our justification, our sanctification, our glorification. And so, justification is a step, a crucial step, towards the whole fullness of salvation. [00:03:16]
All truth is in Jesus Christ no matter what the truth is. Today, as I spoke from John 18, I think, principally and primarily it’s talking about redemptive truth and truth concerning the spiritual kingdom of God. Certainly all truth is, though, from God and from Christ, and even in the larger sense. But by my statement, any statement that is outside the truth that is in Christ Jesus is not of the truth. [00:05:24]
The point is, is that all truth is God's truth. He reveals Himself in the special way through Scripture. But He also reveals Himself through nature, which we call general revelation. And all truths that are discoverable through an examination of nature, the circulatory system of the body, the laws of logic and so on, are all rooted and grounded ultimately in the one source of all truth who is God Himself. [00:06:49]
The problem in short is that God is speaking to sinners. Now, that is not to say that, you know, that whoever disagrees with the right – or if there's an amillennialist and a post-millenialist and a pre-millenialist sitting in front of us, that one of them is righteous and two of them are wicked. One of them is right and the other two are not. The point is that disagreement, it’s like any other failure on our part. It’s a result of sin. [00:09:34]
The fact that we disagree is of sin-problem, not a God-problem, not a revelation-problem and Jesus came to solve the sin problem. [00:11:35]
Addressing sin within the church requires empathy, truth, and adherence to biblical standards. This approach fosters a community that is both compassionate and committed to holiness. [00:32:41]
I would want my child’s elders who are responsible for him to face that sin in calling him to repentance and bringing to bear the power of the keys that have been given to the elders of the local church. Now, suppose he's not a member of a church, or suppose that the church that he’s a member of determines that his behavior is not an affront to the holy God. [00:48:11]
I guess I just – whoever asked the question, you know, I think pastorally we respond empathetically and would want to encourage boldness and compassion and forthrightness and everything else, but it is a hard issue. And it is an increasingly prevalent question as a result of the infiltration of a culture that is vastly being absorbed, very quickly being absorbed in a church that is just unprepared to recognize that the commands of God are commands of God. [00:54:57]
You know, in one of the fellow’s introductions, McLaren's introduction to the Westminster Confession, he says that we ought not to make a prerequisite for church membership what Christ has not made a prerequisite for salvation. And he’s saying that in relationship to – I don’t know who he has in mind, but many churches do. [01:10:05]
The real question is, if you came to join Parkside, R.C., would I let you, then, with all your crazy views become not just a member of the church but an elder in the church, and would I allow you to teach and do everything? The answer is yes, providing you determined not to make an issue of your view of baptism within the context of a congregation that doesn't share that same view. [01:15:05]
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