Faithful Living: Prayer, Vocation, and Eternal Security

 

Summary

In this session, we explored a range of profound theological and practical questions that touch on the heart of Christian faith and practice. We began by discussing the Psalms, emphasizing their structure and emotional depth, which can often seem intimidating to modern readers. The Psalms offer a pathway to understanding the beauty and emotional responses to God, encouraging believers to delve deeper into this rich heritage.

We also addressed the persistent and heartfelt concern of praying for the salvation of loved ones. The encouragement here is to persist in prayer, storming the gates of heaven with unwavering faith, even when fear and doubt creep in. The assurance is that God hears our prayers, and we are called to continue praying fervently.

The topic of eternal security was tackled, acknowledging the reality of apostasy and the importance of daily reliance on Jesus for assurance. The discussion highlighted that our hope lies not in our profession of faith but in Christ Himself, urging believers to preach the gospel to themselves daily.

We examined the presence of true believers during the Middle Ages, affirming that despite the political and religious complexities of the time, God preserved His church. True gospel believers existed both within the institutional church and in movements outside of it, demonstrating the resilience of faith through history.

Finally, we explored the concept of vocation, emphasizing the importance of discovering and stewarding the talents and resources God has given us. This involves trying new things, seeking godly counsel, and trusting in God's sovereignty to guide our paths.

Key Takeaways:

- The Psalms are a treasure trove of emotional and spiritual depth, offering believers a structured pathway to engage with God’s Word. They invite us to experience the beauty and emotional responses to God, encouraging a deeper love for this part of Scripture. [01:12]

- Persistent prayer for the salvation of loved ones is a testament to faith. Even when fear and doubt arise, believers are encouraged to continue praying with fervor, trusting in God’s timing and sovereignty. [03:34]

- Eternal security is found in Christ, not in our profession of faith. The reality of apostasy calls for a daily reliance on Jesus, urging believers to preach the gospel to themselves and find assurance in Him alone. [07:29]

- Throughout history, God has preserved His church, even in times of political and religious turmoil. True believers have existed within and outside institutional structures, demonstrating the enduring nature of faith. [09:37]

- Discovering and stewarding our God-given talents involves trying new things, seeking wise counsel, and trusting in God’s sovereignty. This journey of vocation is about living for God’s glory and trusting Him to guide our paths. [12:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:22] - Introduction to the Psalms
- [01:54] - Praying for Loved Ones
- [04:36] - Eternal Security and Apostasy
- [08:23] - True Church in the Middle Ages
- [10:21] - Stewardship and Vocation
- [12:53] - Cremation vs. Burial
- [18:43] - Baptism and Covenant Theology
- [22:12] - The Problem of Evil
- [26:15] - The Unchanging Nature of God
- [27:12] - Reverence in Worship
- [34:10] - Altar Calls and Evangelism
- [35:52] - Addressing Social Issues
- [38:31] - Responding to LGBTQ+ Issues
- [41:57] - Combating Secularism

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalms (General reference to the structure and themes of the Psalms)
2. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (Reference to Paul's thorn in the flesh and persistent prayer)
3. Hebrews 12:1-3 (Reference to enduring suffering and considering Jesus)

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Observation Questions:

1. What are some of the themes and structures found in the Psalms that can help believers engage with God's Word more deeply? [01:12]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of persistent prayer in the context of praying for the salvation of loved ones? [03:34]

3. What examples from history were given to illustrate the presence of true believers during the Middle Ages? [09:37]

4. According to the sermon, what practical steps can believers take to discover and steward their God-given talents? [12:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might understanding the structure and themes of the Psalms change a believer's approach to reading and applying them in their life? [01:12]

2. In what ways does the concept of eternal security challenge or affirm a believer's daily reliance on Jesus, according to the sermon? [07:29]

3. How does the historical presence of true believers during the Middle Ages encourage modern Christians facing political and religious complexities? [09:37]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between trying new things and trusting in God's sovereignty in the context of vocation? [12:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current engagement with the Psalms. How can you incorporate their emotional and spiritual depth into your daily devotional life? [01:12]

2. Think of a loved one you have been praying for. How can you renew your commitment to persistent prayer for their salvation, even when faced with fear and doubt? [03:34]

3. How can you preach the gospel to yourself daily to find assurance in Christ rather than in your profession of faith? What might this look like practically? [07:29]

4. Consider a time when you felt your faith was challenged by external circumstances. How does the resilience of believers in history inspire you to remain steadfast? [09:37]

5. Identify a talent or resource you believe God has given you. What steps can you take this week to steward it more effectively for His glory? [12:12]

6. How can you seek godly counsel in your journey of discovering your vocation? Who in your life can provide wisdom and guidance? [12:12]

7. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did you see God's sovereignty at work in guiding your path, and how can this encourage you in future decisions? [12:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Engaging with the Emotional Depth of the Psalms
The Psalms are a profound collection of prayers and songs that capture the full range of human emotions in response to God. They provide a structured pathway for believers to engage with God's Word, offering a rich tapestry of emotional and spiritual depth. By delving into the Psalms, believers are invited to experience the beauty and emotional responses to God, encouraging a deeper love for this part of Scripture. The Psalms can be intimidating due to their emotional intensity, but they are a treasure trove that invites us to explore our own emotions in the light of God's presence. [01:12]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: How can you incorporate the emotional honesty of the Psalms into your own prayer life today? What specific emotions do you need to bring before God?


Day 2: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer for the salvation of loved ones is a testament to faith and trust in God's timing and sovereignty. Even when fear and doubt arise, believers are encouraged to continue praying with fervor, storming the gates of heaven with unwavering faith. The assurance is that God hears our prayers, and we are called to persist in prayer, trusting that He is working in ways we may not see. This persistence is not just about the outcome but about deepening our relationship with God through the process. [03:34]

Luke 18:1 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."

Reflection: Who is one person you are committed to praying for consistently? How can you remind yourself to pray for them daily, trusting in God's perfect timing?


Day 3: Finding Assurance in Christ Alone
Eternal security is found in Christ, not in our profession of faith. The reality of apostasy calls for a daily reliance on Jesus, urging believers to preach the gospel to themselves and find assurance in Him alone. Our hope lies not in our own strength or declarations but in the steadfastness of Christ. This daily reliance involves reminding ourselves of the gospel truths and allowing them to shape our identity and assurance. [07:29]

Hebrews 3:14 (ESV): "For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."

Reflection: What is one gospel truth you need to remind yourself of today to find assurance in Christ? How can you incorporate this reminder into your daily routine?


Day 4: The Resilience of Faith Through History
Throughout history, God has preserved His church, even in times of political and religious turmoil. True believers have existed within and outside institutional structures, demonstrating the enduring nature of faith. Despite the complexities of the Middle Ages, God preserved His church, and true gospel believers were present both within the institutional church and in movements outside of it. This resilience of faith through history is a testament to God's faithfulness and the enduring power of the gospel. [09:37]

2 Timothy 2:19 (ESV): "But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.'"

Reflection: How does knowing the resilience of faith throughout history encourage you in your own faith journey today? What historical example of faith inspires you to remain steadfast?


Day 5: Discovering and Stewarding God-Given Talents
Discovering and stewarding our God-given talents involves trying new things, seeking wise counsel, and trusting in God's sovereignty. This journey of vocation is about living for God's glory and trusting Him to guide our paths. It requires a willingness to explore and develop the talents and resources God has given us, while also seeking guidance from others and relying on God's direction. This process is not just about personal fulfillment but about contributing to God's kingdom and serving others. [12:12]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: What is one talent or resource you feel God has given you? How can you begin to steward it more effectively for His glory and the benefit of others today?

Quotes

What I hope to communicate quietly to the church is really a pathway into the Psalms. I think a lot of Christians find the Psalter sort of intimidating. It's a collection of poems, in the first place. We don't read poems anymore, except maybe in Hallmark cards. So, you know, we're not a people much accustomed to the reading of poetry. And then the poems in the book of Psalms strike many of us as sort of randomly there. So, even if we find a poem we really like, we can have a very difficult time ever finding it again. So, this book is an invitation to learn there is a structure to the Psalter. There are themes in the Psalter. There is a way, fairly easy, to begin to get some sense of how poetry works in the Psalter. So, it really is an invitation for people to regain access to this glorious heritage in the Word of God of really beautiful and appropriately emotional responses to God. And so, I hope it will encourage people to really learn to love the Psalms. [00:27:48]

I know what it is to pray for forty-five years and more for the salvation of family members, and I will not stop. I don't think this is a, you know ... 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about a thorn in the flesh that he prays three times for it to be removed and somehow received assurance that this prayer was not going to be on answered, at least, not going to be answered in the way that he was praying it. I don't think that's something that we receive about praying for the conversion of friends or family members. It terrifies me too, which drives me even more to prayer. Don't give up. Don't stop praying until you have no pulse. Storm the gates of heaven. [00:162:63]

The warning passages of the Bible have to be taken seriously, that it is possible to make a profession of faith and to commit apostasy, that our hope and assurance doesn't lie in our profession; our hope and our assurance lies in Jesus. And looking to Him every day, preach the gospel to yourself every single day. [00:438:46]

Certainly, the Reformers believed that throughout the Middle Ages there were genuine Christians in the institutional church in the medieval Roman Catholic Church. And I think that's right. I think that's a correct perception, and you can look at theologians, you can look at prominent preachers and religious figures. It's harder to know what went on in the minds and hearts of a lot of common people because there are not a lot of record left by those people, but there certainly was a witness to the gospel and there certainly were believers. [00:503:89]

I think one of the great doctrines and one of the great practices of the Christian life that comes out of the Reformation is the notion of vocation or the notion of calling. We spend a lot of time speaking of the solas and the doctrine of the authority of God's Word, and of justification by faith alone. There is also this wonderful teaching of vocation, and I think many people struggle with this, "What is my calling?" So there are some practical ways we can do this. One is, we just need to try things. Well, if we have an inclination to something, we need to try it. We need to experiment even with things. [00:600:65]

We also need to listen to others that are around our lives, those that we trust, those that have wisdom that have gone down the road a little bit more than we have, that can speak into our lives and can see blind spots and maybe even point out things that are strengths for us that we don't recognize. Proverbs talks about this, like getting godly counsel from others, and then we also just need to wait upon the Lord and trust that the Lord will open doors for us. [00:689:90]

I try to tell this to my students all the time, the good news is that God is sovereign and God is good and God is all wise and He will safeguard our choices. And many times, this is true in my life; it's true in your life. Many times, God will protect us from ourselves and keep us from making those bad choices. We don't always see it at the moment, but later we can see how that was God's good hand in protecting us and shepherding us and guiding us. [00:727:35]

There are two ways I think you can look at this question. One is the philosophical objection that is raised and it's stated as a philosophical axiom. So, God is sovereign, just the first premise. Second premise: God is good, and yet there is suffering and evil. Therefore, God is not strong enough to prevent evil because He is good or He is not good enough to prevent evil because He is strong enough. And so, if God is not strong enough or if God is not good enough, then God is not God. [00:1323:71]

And so, we look at the text of Hebrews at chapter 12, we have this great hall of faith, but then we're told to consider Jesus, to consider this One who suffered and this One who endured so that we might endure, so that we might be able to persevere through suffering. And so, if we're looking for an answer to the question for suffering, we're not going to find it like we would find an answer to the philosophical problem, but instead we're going to find one. [00:1439:54]

I think this is an unlikely place to find a text about worship, and I think you're exactly right. There is a lot more to this question. There needs to be a lot more to this answer, but I find these verses in the middle of Ecclesiastes to be very helpful, and I'll just ... you look at them later. It is chapter 5 and it's the first three verses. "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth." [00:1793:08]

I think Romans is a great example of this. Paul is writing to the city that is facing significant cultural issues, and what Paul leads off with is the gospel. This is the hope for the Christians that are in Rome. This is the hope for their neighbors. This is the hope for the city of Rome. This is the hope for all of us, and it is eleven chapters of the gospel. But then you get to chapter 12 and there's a great deal in there on ethics and even into textured particulars of ethics. [00:2248:21]

I think the best way to combat secularism is to never assume that there is a deep-seated belief in the authority and the trustworthiness and the sufficiency of Scripture, that as Christians, and as Reformed Christians especially, we probably would not deny the doctrine of inerrancy. But do we subtly question either through our actions or thoughts the sufficiency of Scripture? Do we wonder if it still applies in the twenty-first century when we hear people tell us, sociologists tell us about human identity, and now in the twenty-first century we know better than this ancient book of millennia ago? [00:2607:61]

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Transcript
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