Exploring Faith: Christ's Nature, Vocation, and Assurance

 

Summary

In our discussion today, we delved into several profound theological questions that have long intrigued and challenged believers. We began by exploring the impeccability of Christ, a topic that examines whether Jesus, while on earth, had the ability to sin. This debate, known as the peccability versus impeccability debate, is not about whether Jesus sinned—He did not—but whether He could have sinned. The consensus leaned towards the view that Jesus was impeccable, meaning He was not able to sin, yet He genuinely faced real temptations, which allows Him to be our sympathetic high priest.

We also addressed the transformation of faith from obligation to desire. This involves moving from a sense of duty in our spiritual practices to a genuine delight in them. The key is to preach the gospel to ourselves daily, reminding ourselves of our identity in Christ and the grace we have received. This transformation is a lifelong journey, often requiring the discipline of regular Bible reading and prayer to cultivate a love for God.

The concept of vocation was another significant topic. We discussed how serving God is not limited to full-time ministry but extends to all areas of life, including our familial and professional roles. This understanding helps dismantle the sacred-secular divide, emphasizing that all work done in faith is service to God.

We also tackled the challenging question of the eternal fate of those who have never heard the gospel. While acknowledging the difficulty of this issue, we affirmed the exclusivity of salvation through Christ alone, emphasizing the urgency of evangelism. The justice of God remains intact, as He has revealed Himself through nature and conscience, yet humanity's failure to seek Him underscores the need for the gospel.

Finally, we explored the assurance of salvation, emphasizing that it is found in Christ alone, not in our works or feelings. While our sense of assurance may fluctuate, our identity in Christ remains the foundation of our confidence. This assurance is nurtured through a life of faith and obedience, as we continually look to Christ and His promises.

Key Takeaways:

1. Impeccability of Christ: Jesus faced real temptations, yet He was impeccable, meaning He could not sin. This truth underscores His role as our sympathetic high priest, who understands our struggles and intercedes for us with compassion and empathy. [01:49]

2. Transformation of Faith: Moving from duty to delight in our spiritual practices requires daily gospel reminders. By focusing on our identity in Christ and His grace, we cultivate a genuine love for God that transforms our motivations. [06:08]

3. Vocation and Service: Serving God encompasses all aspects of life, not just formal ministry roles. Recognizing our daily work and relationships as vocations helps us live out our faith authentically and dismantles the sacred-secular divide. [10:53]

4. Exclusivity of Salvation: Salvation is through Christ alone, highlighting the urgency of evangelism. While God's justice is upheld, the responsibility to share the gospel with all people remains a pressing call for the Church. [29:47]

5. Assurance of Salvation: Our assurance is rooted in Christ, not in our works or feelings. While our sense of assurance may fluctuate, our identity in Christ provides a firm foundation, encouraging us to live faithfully and confidently. [43:00]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to the Q&A
- [00:44] - The Peccability Debate
- [01:49] - Jesus as Our Sympathetic High Priest
- [05:04] - Transforming Faith from Duty to Delight
- [09:27] - Understanding Vocation and Service
- [12:24] - Lordship Salvation
- [15:21] - Church Discipline and Community
- [24:19] - The Incarnation and Immutability of God
- [28:11] - The Fate of the Unevangelized
- [37:41] - Understanding Free Will
- [42:34] - Assurance of Salvation
- [47:19] - Conclusion and Thanks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 4:15 - "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."
2. Romans 10:14-15 - "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"
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."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus being impeccable, and how does it relate to His role as our high priest? [01:49]
2. What are the key elements involved in transforming faith from obligation to desire, as discussed in the sermon? [06:08]
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of vocation and its relation to serving God in all areas of life? [10:53]
4. What is the sermon’s stance on the exclusivity of salvation through Christ, and how does it emphasize the urgency of evangelism? [29:47]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the impeccability of Christ enhance our understanding of His ability to sympathize with our struggles and temptations? [01:49]
2. In what ways can daily gospel reminders help believers move from a sense of duty to a genuine delight in their spiritual practices? [06:08]
3. How does the sermon challenge the traditional view of vocation, and what implications does this have for how believers view their daily work and relationships? [10:53]
4. What are the potential dangers of inclusivism as discussed in the sermon, and how does it contrast with the exclusivity of salvation through Christ? [31:59]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent temptation you faced. How does knowing that Jesus was tempted in every way yet did not sin provide comfort or guidance for you? [01:49]
2. Identify one spiritual practice you currently view as a duty. What steps can you take this week to transform it into a source of delight? [06:08]
3. Consider your current job or role in your family. How can you view these as vocations and opportunities to serve God more intentionally? [10:53]
4. Think of someone in your life who has not heard the gospel. What is one practical step you can take this week to share the message of Christ with them? [29:47]
5. Reflect on your sense of assurance in your salvation. How can you strengthen your confidence in Christ as the foundation of your assurance? [43:00]
6. How can you incorporate regular Bible reading and prayer into your daily routine to cultivate a deeper love for God? [06:51]
7. What specific actions can you take to dismantle the sacred-secular divide in your life and integrate your faith into all areas of your daily activities? [10:53]

Devotional

Day 1: The Impeccability of Christ and His Compassionate Role

Jesus Christ, while on earth, faced genuine temptations, yet He was impeccable, meaning He could not sin. This truth is foundational to understanding His role as our sympathetic high priest. His impeccability does not diminish the reality of His temptations but rather highlights His divine nature and His ability to empathize with our struggles. As our high priest, Jesus intercedes for us with compassion and empathy, having experienced the full range of human temptation without succumbing to sin. This understanding should deepen our trust in His ability to support and guide us through our own trials. [01:49]

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a temptation you are currently facing. How can you draw strength from knowing that Jesus understands your struggle and intercedes for you with compassion?


Day 2: Transforming Faith from Duty to Delight

The journey of faith involves moving from a sense of obligation in spiritual practices to a genuine delight in them. This transformation is achieved by preaching the gospel to ourselves daily, reminding ourselves of our identity in Christ and the grace we have received. By focusing on these truths, we cultivate a love for God that transforms our motivations, making our spiritual practices a source of joy rather than mere duty. This process requires discipline and intentionality, often involving regular Bible reading and prayer, as we seek to align our hearts with God's love and grace. [06:08]

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one spiritual practice that feels like a duty. How can you remind yourself of the gospel today to transform this practice into a delight?


Day 3: Vocation as a Holistic Service to God

Serving God is not confined to full-time ministry but extends to all areas of life, including our familial and professional roles. This understanding helps dismantle the sacred-secular divide, emphasizing that all work done in faith is service to God. Recognizing our daily work and relationships as vocations allows us to live out our faith authentically, seeing every task and interaction as an opportunity to serve God and reflect His love. This perspective encourages us to approach our daily responsibilities with a sense of purpose and dedication, knowing that they are valuable in God's eyes. [10:53]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Think about your current job or role. How can you approach it as a vocation, serving God through your daily tasks and interactions?


Day 4: The Urgency of Evangelism and the Exclusivity of Salvation

The exclusivity of salvation through Christ alone underscores the urgency of evangelism. While God's justice is upheld, the responsibility to share the gospel with all people remains a pressing call for the Church. This urgency is driven by the understanding that salvation is found only in Christ, and it compels believers to actively engage in sharing the good news with those who have not heard it. The reality of this responsibility should motivate us to be intentional in our evangelistic efforts, seeking opportunities to share the hope and truth of the gospel with others. [29:47]

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life has not heard the gospel? What steps can you take this week to share the message of Christ with them?


Day 5: Assurance of Salvation Rooted in Christ

Our assurance of salvation is found in Christ alone, not in our works or feelings. While our sense of assurance may fluctuate, our identity in Christ provides a firm foundation for our confidence. This assurance is nurtured through a life of faith and obedience, as we continually look to Christ and His promises. By focusing on our relationship with Him, we can live faithfully and confidently, knowing that our salvation is secure in His hands. This understanding encourages us to persevere in our faith, trusting in the unchanging nature of God's love and grace. [43:00]

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you doubted your salvation. How can you remind yourself today that your assurance is rooted in Christ and not in your feelings or actions?

Quotes


The question is, is he able to sin or not able to sin and uh there's a little bit of a Divergence here within the reformed tradition and you do find people lining up on either side the ones who want to say that Jesus is able to sin uh usually get there because they want to see The Temptations as real they want to see them as having teeth so to speak so that when Jesus is our high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses the understanding is that he if he was not able to sin is he genuinely legitimately in an existential way able to sympathize. [00:00:49]

I think that the impeccable uh that he was not able to sin is the preferred View and and uh still see that Jesus in his U incarnate God Man U is our sympathetic high priest but I I can understand where the peccability camp is coming from uh but I I think we just should not ascribe that to the Incarnate Christ I think I want to Nuance that just a little by saying I think at least two things one, one I don't think that the doctrine of impeccability even if it's true is one that finds expression in the New Testament. [00:01:49]

The necessity for me to try and get that right is to try and preach the gospel to myself every day to to remind myself even though I have a duty and I I'm not afraid of the word Duty uh there are commands there are obligations on me as as a Christian um but what is the motive of Duty and what is the motive of obedience uh and and the motive is that I am the Lords that I am forgiven that I have been adopted that I uh that I am in Christ that I'm a New Creation in Jesus Christ. [00:05:51]

I think if if the word of God isn't present with us then a love for God is less likely to be developed and I would you know in that regard particularly commend to you that the Psalms as uh really Hearts engaged with God and um I it's a duty Delight issue that we're talking about here and I think the mistake is is if I do the duty without the Delight I'm being insincere or inauthentic and that's almost the worst sin you can commit in our current climate to not be authentic but we have the obligation to the duty and I think we commit to the duty and the Delight follows. [00:07:48]

Luther comes along and and attaches calling to our familial relationships as husbands as as wives spouses children parents comes along and ascribes callings a vocation rather to to uh professions I think everyone except Banker not sure Luther had much much respect for bankers and lawyers and and lawyers so if you avoided those two Fields you were but but what he was trying to say there was we've got to sort of get past this notion of a two to Sharp of a sacred secular distinction. [00:09:42]

I think that's it's a dimen not the sum of answering this question I think it's a dimension to it we can't hear serving God and immediately compartmentalize that into full-time Christian platform Ministry um I love that doctrine of vocation I think that's part of it and then I think the other part of it is sort of what we were just talking about in the in the Christian disciplines of of prayer and and faithful Bible reading and faithful discipleship in the point the place in which God has put you uh that's serving God sometimes we just over mystify this or over complicate this um when just simple obedience is serving God. [00:10:31]

I think there are certain things that you have to say that there is no salvation apart from Christ I don't I don't believe in The Wider hope although reformed Christians like shed uh went in that direction but I think that's that's an unbiblical direction there's no other name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes to the father but by me and the positive of that is that there is an absolute imperative upon us to take the gospel to every people group and that burden ought to weigh down heavily upon us uh that there is an urgency uh to take the gospel to as many people as is as is humanly possible. [00:29:19]

I think we must think this through and we must help our our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ think this through if if our if our instincts are to to to go the route of well surely God is a merciful god and the unevangelized uh God is sort of overlooking that or God is making accommodation for that I think is where our instincts want to go because we think somehow that's a a better portrayal of God or that's a better God that is more commendable and what we're doing when we move in that direction is we're moving into what what theologians will sometimes call inclusivism and it's a it's a movement away from exclusivism. [00:31:19]

The trajectory of of scripture is not to go to blame God for the lack of preaching of the Gospel but to actually encourage us to do that how can they hear without a preacher uh and and so the burden to to preach the gospel to the person next door and across the street and across the world ought to be the burden of the modern Church of of the church from its very Inception it it was to be the burden of Israel also I think agreeing with everything that's been said. [00:33:12]

I think this is a crucial question because it it really does impact Christian Life and so we're talking about Assurance we've got first John and John wants us to know that we are a child of God he doesn't want us doubting and and wondering and and you can how do you how do you make progress if you're just constantly in Despair and so you know read first John he he wants us to know these things but the Westminster Confession has an interesting way of dealing with this it's talking about Assurance in terms of our we are we are in Christ and that's the basis of assurance. [00:43:44]

Calvin says we have to with the question of assurance always first look to the promises of Christ and then if you really embrace the promises of Christ if you rejoice in the promises of Christ then you dare look to see if you have a little faith and have a few good works because they should be there and should support that Assurance but the primary Assurance needs to be in Christ and in his promises and I I think that's helpful but certainly if if you're falling desperately into sin you're not looking to the promises of Christ and the Assurance will Wayne. [00:46:48]

I think that's helpful but certainly if if you're falling desperately into sin you're not looking to the promises of Christ and the Assurance will Wayne and this issue of course is examined in in detail uh in another John John bunan uh in pilgrims program progess and uh actually I great many of these questions this morning uh find um answers uh in in John Bunyan's wonderful allegory which you need to read to enter the ply Gates. [00:47:58]

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Transcript
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