Embracing the Gospel: Truth, Grace, and Unity

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored a range of profound and practical questions that touch on the heart of Christian living and theology. We began by discussing the nature of the gospel, emphasizing that it is both good news and a confrontation with the reality of our sinfulness. The gospel calls us to repentance and faith, acknowledging our need for God's grace through Jesus Christ. We also delved into the topic of self-defense, affirming that while Christians are called to live selflessly, there is a biblical basis for protecting oneself and one's family.

We then turned our attention to the spiritual disciplines of prayer and Scripture, highlighting their essential role in deepening our understanding of our sinfulness and growing in our relationship with God. These disciplines serve as mirrors, reflecting our true selves and our need for God's grace. We also addressed the call to pastoral ministry, emphasizing that it is a divine calling rather than a mere career choice, marked by an inescapable burden to preach the gospel.

As we navigated through questions about the challenges facing the church, we identified the authority of the Bible and the exclusivity of Christ as central issues. The church must stand firm on these truths amidst cultural pressures. We also discussed the importance of personal devotion and the dangers of allowing good things, like careers, to become idols in our lives. The call to seek first the kingdom of God remains paramount.

In addressing the role of women in the church, we affirmed the complementarian view, recognizing the unique and valuable contributions of women while upholding the biblical teaching on church leadership. We also explored the significance of expository preaching, which faithfully communicates the Word of God and reflects our convictions about Scripture.

Finally, we touched on the sensitive topics of racial divisions and forgiveness, urging believers to live out the reconciliation achieved through Christ's work on the cross. The gospel calls us to love and unity, transcending cultural and racial barriers.

Key Takeaways:

- The gospel is both good news and a confrontation with our sinfulness. It calls us to repentance and faith, acknowledging our need for God's grace through Jesus Christ. Embracing the gospel means recognizing our guilt and receiving salvation through Christ's finished work. [01:47]

- Prayer and Scripture are essential for spiritual growth. They serve as mirrors, reflecting our true selves and our need for God's grace. Regular engagement with these disciplines helps us see God as He is and ourselves as we are, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. [04:06]

- The authority of the Bible and the exclusivity of Christ are central challenges facing the church. Believers must stand firm on these truths amidst cultural pressures, knowing that they are foundational to the Christian faith and witness. [14:08]

- Expository preaching is vital because it faithfully communicates the Word of God. It reflects our convictions about Scripture and ensures that the Bible speaks for itself, guiding believers in faith and obedience. [45:50]

- The gospel calls us to reconciliation and unity, transcending cultural and racial barriers. As believers, we must live out the reconciliation achieved through Christ's work on the cross, demonstrating love and unity to a watching world. [58:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction to Ask Ligonier
- [00:40] - Guest Introduction: Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr.
- [01:11] - Lightning Round Begins
- [01:25] - Joy or Dread in the Gospel?
- [02:42] - Can Christians Practice Self-Defense?
- [03:39] - Understanding Our Sinfulness
- [04:50] - Repentance and the Gospel
- [06:10] - Studying the Gospel of Mark
- [06:42] - Called to be a Pastor?
- [09:14] - Personal Journey into Ministry
- [13:28] - Challenges Facing the Church
- [15:04] - Who is the Father of Jesus?
- [16:52] - Sharing Faith with the LGBT Community
- [18:01] - When Career Becomes an Idol
- [20:15] - Formative Influences in Ministry
- [23:39] - Does God Love Everyone?
- [24:01] - Growing Spiritually as a Christian
- [30:12] - Women as Preachers/Pastors
- [32:31] - Listening to Sermons vs. Studying the Bible
- [34:25] - Challenges in Ministry
- [37:21] - Encouragement in Trials
- [40:18] - Reforming a Church
- [42:04] - Second Lightning Round Begins
- [42:48] - Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
- [43:59] - Increase in Expository Preaching
- [45:06] - Importance of Expository Preaching
- [47:16] - Getting Closer to God
- [49:56] - Discipleship and Evangelism
- [51:47] - Importance of End Times Views
- [53:03] - Balancing Ministry and Home Life
- [55:04] - Doxologies and Benedictions
- [56:39] - Racial Divisions and the Gospel
- [01:01:09] - Forgiveness and Family Struggles
- [01:02:26] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2:8-9
2. James 1:22-25
3. 1 Timothy 3:1-7

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, how does the gospel serve as both good news and a confrontation with our sinfulness? ([01:47])

2. What role do prayer and Scripture play in helping Christians understand their own sinfulness, as discussed in the sermon? ([03:39])

3. How does the sermon describe the authority of the Bible and the exclusivity of Christ as challenges facing the church today? ([14:08])

4. What is the significance of expository preaching according to the sermon, and how does it reflect our convictions about Scripture? ([45:50])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Ephesians 2:8-9 help us understand the relationship between faith, grace, and works in the context of the gospel message? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on repentance and faith? ([05:20])

2. In what ways do James 1:22-25 and the sermon suggest that Scripture acts as a mirror for believers? How does this mirror help in recognizing our need for God's grace? ([04:06])

3. How does 1 Timothy 3:1-7 inform the sermon’s discussion on the call to pastoral ministry and the qualifications for church leadership? ([06:58])

4. The sermon mentions the reconciliation achieved through Christ's work on the cross. How does this concept challenge cultural and racial divisions within the church? ([58:11])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when the gospel confronted you with your own sinfulness. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to embrace the gospel more fully in your life? ([01:47])

2. How can you incorporate regular prayer and Scripture reading into your daily routine to deepen your understanding of your sinfulness and need for grace? What specific changes can you make this week? ([03:39])

3. In what ways can you stand firm on the authority of the Bible and the exclusivity of Christ in your personal life and within your community, especially when facing cultural pressures? ([14:08])

4. Consider the role of expository preaching in your church. How can you support and encourage your church leaders to prioritize faithful communication of God's Word? ([45:50])

5. Think about a relationship or situation in your life where reconciliation is needed. How can you apply the principles of reconciliation and unity from the gospel to that situation? ([58:11])

6. Identify one area in your life where a good thing, like a career or hobby, might be becoming an idol. What steps can you take to ensure that you are seeking first the kingdom of God? ([18:33])

7. How can you actively contribute to breaking down cultural and racial barriers within your church community, demonstrating the unity and love called for by the gospel? ([58:11])

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel's Dual Nature: Good News and Confrontation
The gospel is a profound message that serves as both good news and a confrontation with our sinfulness. It calls us to repentance and faith, urging us to acknowledge our need for God's grace through Jesus Christ. Embracing the gospel means recognizing our guilt and receiving salvation through Christ's finished work. This dual nature of the gospel challenges us to confront our shortcomings while offering the hope of redemption and transformation. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the importance of repentance and the transformative power of faith in our lives. [01:47]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to confront your sinfulness and seek God's grace for transformation today?


Day 2: Prayer and Scripture: Mirrors of Our True Selves
Prayer and Scripture are essential spiritual disciplines that deepen our understanding of our sinfulness and foster our relationship with God. They act as mirrors, reflecting our true selves and our need for God's grace. Regular engagement with these disciplines helps us see God as He is and ourselves as we are, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. Through prayer and Scripture, we are invited to grow spiritually, aligning our lives with God's will and experiencing His transformative power. [04:06]

"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." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional time for prayer and Scripture reading into your daily routine this week?


Day 3: Standing Firm on Biblical Authority and Christ's Exclusivity
The authority of the Bible and the exclusivity of Christ are central challenges facing the church today. Believers must stand firm on these truths amidst cultural pressures, knowing that they are foundational to the Christian faith and witness. Upholding the authority of Scripture and the uniqueness of Christ as the only way to salvation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the gospel message. As cultural norms shift, the church is called to remain steadfast in its commitment to these core truths, ensuring that the gospel is faithfully proclaimed and lived out. [14:08]

"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Bible's authority and Christ's exclusivity in your own life?


Day 4: The Vital Role of Expository Preaching
Expository preaching is vital because it faithfully communicates the Word of God. It reflects our convictions about Scripture and ensures that the Bible speaks for itself, guiding believers in faith and obedience. Through expository preaching, the church is equipped to understand and apply God's Word, fostering spiritual growth and maturity. This form of preaching emphasizes the importance of Scripture as the ultimate authority, encouraging believers to live out their faith in accordance with God's revealed truth. [45:50]

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively engage with expository preaching to enhance your understanding and application of God's Word?


Day 5: The Gospel's Call to Reconciliation and Unity
The gospel calls us to reconciliation and unity, transcending cultural and racial barriers. As believers, we are urged to live out the reconciliation achieved through Christ's work on the cross, demonstrating love and unity to a watching world. This call challenges us to break down divisions and embrace the diversity within the body of Christ, reflecting the unity that is found in Him. By living out this reconciliation, we bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel and its ability to bring healing and restoration to broken relationships. [58:11]

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to today to foster reconciliation and unity, reflecting the love of Christ?

Quotes

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed good news about salvation, but it addresses the bad news of our sin and our guilt before God. And so, there is this sense in which the good news or glad tidings of the gospel is good news, bad news, worse news, all of those at the same time. The bad news is that we are sinners separated from a holy God, who we will have to give an account to. The worse news is that there is nothing we can do to reach God's righteous standard, and that leads us to the good news of the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ through His death at the cross and resurrection from the dead. [00:07:07]

I think the two primary ways to do that are prayer and the Scriptures. I would give those same two answers for a lot of areas of spiritual growth, spiritual discipline, spiritual development. I think, first of all, the more that I am taking in God's Word and God's Word is being for me, James 1:22 through 25, a mirror that causes me to see myself as I really am before God helps me to recognize my sinfulness and neediness for the grace of God. And then prayer, particularly prayer that includes the element of confession, which should be a regular part of the Christian practice, keeps before me my sinfulness and neediness before God. [00:03:45]

I believe there is a desire associated with it according to 1 Timothy chapter 3. I also feel that there is this, the word I use is just this "inescapable burden." From my own life my father advised me, "If you can keep from preaching, do it." I did not think that that was helpful advice when he said it, but I understood later what he meant. It's the spirit of what the Apostle Paul says when he says, "Necessity has been laid upon me, and woe unto me if I preach not the gospel." There are indeed matters of qualification that need to be factored in, but I believe that there is this call of God and a burden to preach that He places. [00:07:41]

I think there are a couple of big issues that I don't think this is... marks me as uniquely profound, I feel like the attacks are very obvious. And the two big things is that there's just this constant attack on the authority of the Bible, and I would say that the church has to know where it stands and why it stands where it stands. There is this attack against the authority of the Bible, and I think that attack against the authority of the Bible is tied to an attack on the exclusivity of the Lord Jesus Christ. And those two factors are the whole ballgame, if I may say it that way, and I think the challenges that we're going to see more openly in the years to come are those two things. [00:13:28]

I believe again this a great question, and I feel like the temptation is to find some exotic answer. But the two pillars of the Christian faith are prayer and the ministry of the Word. If you were ask me about Christian ministry, I would say the same thing "prayer and Scripture intake." And I think Psalm 1 comes to my mind, where the psalmist just begins the Psalms by just offering you a blessed life, and that blessed life is rooted in the Word of God, "one who delights in the Law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night." Prayer is one of the neglected resources of the Christian life. [00:24:01]

I would say that one of the reasons why prayer and Scripture intake are a struggle is because these are spiritual disciplines, as the language is, these are spiritual disciplines. And if you have not been, you know, in the gym, you don't just go in the gym and just pick up the biggest weights. It is as you are in the gym day in and day out, regularly doing the reps that muscle develops, and strength grows. And I really do feel like sometimes... it some seems like a crude answer, but I feel like some people find it hard to pray because we don't pray, and we find it hard to read the Bible because we don't read the Bible. [00:28:38]

I would say the Bible starts somewhere and the Bible ends somewhere, and I would say in that regard it's significant for us to understand Genesis and have an understanding of the Book of Revelation as well. So I think this is not a matter, and I think this is again Matthew 4:4 that "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God," and there is much that Scripture says about it, and as much as God's Word says about... says much about it, it should be our priority to know what it says. [00:51:47]

I think exposition matters because preaching reflects convictions about the Scripture. And I think that exposition is the most faithful way to let the Word of God speak for itself. [00:45:06]

I feel like in other instances, we put too much emphasis on our culture and our taste and our preference and so dishonor, I believe, the work that Christ has done to make us one. I also just think as brothers and sisters in Christ, there is a compassion toward each other and a love toward one another that should mark us and be evident to the watching world that unfortunately is missing as cultural, racial, and political stuff get tied up in there, and we lose the centrality of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:56:39]

I would say pray hard for God to soften that person's heart, and I would use every opportunity to talk to that person about what Jesus has done at the cross, which again is the basis, it's a little bit tied to what we were just talking about racism that God, who after all of our offense, who has forgiven us, is the grounds for forgiveness to others. And so I would just say pray for a softened heart and faithfully and winsomely share what Christ has done and trust God to do the rest. [01:01:09]

I think that for the growth of the believer, I need to be under the authority of shepherds in a local church, and I am being fed a consistent diet of God's Word. I need to be in fellowship with other believers so that Hebrews 10:24 and 25, I am having others to stir me up to love and good works. There is a level of maturity and service and obedience that I will not reach unless other believers are stirring me up. And also me exercising the gifts that God has placed in me for the building up and edifying of others, I think is a part of that process of my own spiritual development. [00:47:16]

I think that every member of the church should have the spirit of the Bereans, you know, in the Book of Acts where they are searching the Scriptures for themselves to see those things that are true. I believe that process is aided and helped and encouraged by faithful men who teach the Word of God, and I think it's a wonderful thing that access to so much good material is available like all of the resources available through Ligonier, but that should be a supplement, it should not replace your own time in the Word of God. [00:32:31]

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Transcript
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