Learning from Church History: Faith, Joy, and Propitiation

Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit of Service and Community

The success of large conferences and gatherings often hinges on the dedication and hard work of volunteers. These individuals embody the spirit of service and community, working together for a common purpose. This reflects the body of Christ in action, where each member contributes to the whole, fostering a sense of unity and shared mission. The role of volunteers is a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration and selflessness in our faith journey. As we serve one another, we mirror the love and service of Christ, building a community that thrives on mutual support and encouragement. [00:39]

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Who in your community can you serve today, and how can you use your unique gifts to contribute to the body of Christ?

Day 2: Embracing the Humanity of Theologians

Historical theologians, like John Calvin, faced personal struggles and challenges, reminding us of their humanity. Stories such as Calvin's lost manuscript illustrate that even the most revered figures experienced doubt and anxiety. These narratives encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty, even in our own moments of difficulty. By acknowledging the humanity of these figures, we can find comfort in knowing that our struggles are not unique and that God remains faithful through all circumstances. [08:54]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: What personal struggle are you facing today, and how can you trust in God's sovereignty to guide you through it?

Day 3: Finding Joy and Fulfillment in God

Jonathan Edwards' concept of being "happied" emphasizes the joy and fulfillment found in aligning our lives with God's purpose. This perspective challenges us to seek our delight in God rather than in worldly pursuits, leading to true happiness and contentment. Edwards' vision of heaven as a place where believers are "unclogged" from sin and able to fully commune with God offers hope for ultimate restoration and freedom. By focusing on God's purpose, we can experience a deeper sense of joy and fulfillment in our daily lives. [12:37]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: What worldly pursuit are you currently prioritizing over your relationship with God, and how can you realign your focus to find true joy in Him?

Day 4: Understanding the Depth of Propitiation

The theological term "propitiation" is essential for grasping the gospel's depth, as it describes Christ's sacrificial act that satisfies God's wrath. This concept has been pivotal in church history, particularly in Martin Luther's teachings, and remains crucial for understanding our reconciliation with God. By recognizing the significance of propitiation, we gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ and the grace extended to us. This understanding invites us to live in gratitude and humility, acknowledging the profound love and mercy of God. [16:51]

1 John 4:10 (ESV): "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Reflection: How does understanding the concept of propitiation change your perspective on Christ's sacrifice, and how can you live in response to this profound truth today?

Day 5: The Rich Heritage of Church History

Engaging with church history enriches our faith by connecting us with the broader narrative of God's work throughout time. By learning from past theologians, we gain insights that deepen our understanding of the gospel and encourage us to live faithfully in the present. This rich heritage reminds us of the enduring truths that transcend time and challenges us to look beyond our immediate circumstances. By embracing the lessons of church history, we can find inspiration and guidance for our own faith journey, rooted in the wisdom of those who have gone before us. [23:08]

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Reflection: What lesson from church history can you apply to your life today, and how can it inspire you to live more faithfully in your current circumstances?

Sermon Summary

In this engaging session, we explored the profound impact of church history on our present faith journey, emphasizing the importance of learning from past theologians and their teachings. We began by acknowledging the invaluable contributions of volunteers who make large conferences possible, highlighting the sense of community and shared purpose that these gatherings foster. The conversation then shifted to the significance of solid biblical teaching, as exemplified by the sessions at the Ligonier National Conference, which serve to nourish and edify believers with the Word of God.

Dr. Steven Nichols shared insights from his podcast, "Five Minutes in Church History," which brings to life the stories and lessons from historical church figures. He recounted a memorable episode about John Calvin's lost manuscript, illustrating the humanity and struggles of historical theologians. This story serves as a reminder that even the most revered figures faced challenges and anxieties, yet they trusted in God's sovereignty.

The discussion also delved into Jonathan Edwards' perspective on joy and fulfillment in God, introducing the concept of being "happied" as we align our lives with God's purpose. Edwards' vision of heaven as a place where believers are "unclogged" from sin and able to fully commune with God was particularly inspiring, offering hope for the ultimate restoration and freedom from earthly impediments.

A significant portion of the conversation focused on the theological term "propitiation," underscoring its crucial role in understanding the gospel. The historical context provided by Dr. Nichols highlighted how this concept has been pivotal in church history, particularly in the teachings of Martin Luther. The term encapsulates the sacrificial act of Christ that satisfies God's wrath, allowing a holy God to meet with sinful humanity.

Finally, the session emphasized the value of church history as a resource for contemporary believers. By learning from past theologians, we gain a deeper understanding of our faith and are reminded of the enduring truths that transcend time. This rich heritage encourages us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and connect with the broader narrative of God's work throughout history.

Key Takeaways

1. The Role of Volunteers: The success of large conferences relies heavily on the dedication of volunteers, who embody the spirit of service and community. Their contributions remind us of the importance of working together for a common purpose, reflecting the body of Christ in action. [00:39]
2. Humanity of Historical Figures: Stories like John Calvin's lost manuscript reveal the personal struggles of historical theologians, reminding us that they, too, faced challenges and anxieties. These narratives encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty, even in our own moments of doubt and difficulty. [08:54]
3. Joy in God: Jonathan Edwards' concept of being "happied" highlights the joy and fulfillment found in aligning our lives with God's purpose. This perspective challenges us to seek our delight in God rather than in worldly pursuits, leading to true happiness and contentment. [12:37]
4. Understanding Propitiation: The theological term "propitiation" is essential for grasping the gospel's depth, as it describes Christ's sacrificial act that satisfies God's wrath. This concept has been pivotal in church history, particularly in Martin Luther's teachings, and remains crucial for understanding our reconciliation with God. [16:51]
5. Value of Church History: Engaging with church history enriches our faith by connecting us with the broader narrative of God's work throughout time. By learning from past theologians, we gain insights that deepen our understanding of the gospel and encourage us to live faithfully in the present. [23:08]
** [23:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to the Conference
[00:26] - Acknowledging Volunteers
[01:21] - Guest Introduction: Dr. Steven Nichols
[02:16] - First Impressions of the Conference
[04:10] - Streaming Sessions Announcement
[05:21] - Five Minutes in Church History Podcast
[07:09] - John Calvin's Lost Manuscript
[11:00] - Jonathan Edwards' Favorite Word
[13:26] - Heaven as a World of Love
[15:31] - Importance of Propitiation
[19:59] - The Challenge of God's Wrath
[22:22] - Learning from Jonathan Edwards
[23:41] - The Riches of Church History
[25:17] - Conference Updates and Closing Remarks

Sermon Clips

I just want to give a shout out to uh all the volunteers that help make an event like this uh possible well joining me today our guest is a great uh uh friend of the ministry actually a Ligonier teaching fellow uh he's also the research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College. [00:01:05]

I would just like to Echo what you said the shout out to the volunteers this is a massive conference when when you begin to look at the number of people that are here all of the logistics to coordinate these things just don't happen uh they happen because a number of folks uh get in here and and volunteer their time and their services. [00:02:13]

I think is is almost exhibit a for I think the wrong way to think about church history figures and that is we tend to see them as a as an encyclopedia entry or you know a dictionary entry and we forget that these are people uh who are have all the issues of life that they need to engage. [00:07:29]

Calvin in a rush for time did not make a backup copy and of course you know where this is going to go right uh that only manuscript went missing and it went missing for months and this just this just wore on Calvin and he faced all the anxiety he'd write about it to friends. [00:08:40]

It's so easy for us to get anxious and uh we can even see Calvin getting anxious but we do need to trust in our Sovereign god well for those that happen to be watching and maybe this is the first time they've heard of the podcast if they go to five minutes in church his.com they'll be able to go back. [00:10:08]

What we see of course is that as we uh delight in God and as we find our uh our meaning our fulfillment in God then we are cified not as we seek our own pleasure or our own fulfillment or follow our own way uh but as we follow God and as we follow after God uh we are happied. [00:12:21]

In this sermon Heaven is a world of love Edwards is painting this wonderful vision of what heaven will be like and he talks about how the Triune God will be at the center of heaven and how this will be a fountain of love and then he talks about us and he says we will be there and we will be in our glorified bodies. [00:13:44]

Propitiation and what he's saying is very important we don't get rid of this word simply because it's not a word we use every day we we need this word and and the issue is okay we don't know what that word means we don't get rid of it we teach what that word means this word does not occur very much in the New Testament. [00:16:21]

Christ is our propitiation in Romans chapter 3:21 he is our mercy seat and it is at The Mercy Seat going back to Exodus it is at the mercy seat that a holy God meets with a sinful people there at the mercy seat I will meet you so what we can say as we now look at this wonderful biblical theological theme. [00:18:38]

There is a wonderful uh verse uh in the Old Testament that paints such a beautiful picture for us and it simply says that we are drinking from Wells we did not dig and we are eating at Vineyards we did not plant and as I think more and more as I've Been Around Church History uh for a couple decades now. [00:22:40]

We have this wonderful Riches of the past we have wells that have been dug and we can drink from these Wells now this is not to to turn tradition into some authoritative thing and you know we see that sort of in Roman Catholicism but but I think sometimes especially in evangelicalism we go the opposite direction. [00:23:36]

I have so enjoyed in my own life the nourishment I get from these brothers of mine that I just haven't met yet uh and and I just really it's part of my passion to to help the church to see what a wonderful resource is there for us as we as we live the Christian Life in the 21st century. [00:24:50]

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