Rediscovering the Depth of Scripture in a Superficial Age
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor addressing the issue of mediocrity and superficiality in the church, a trend that has led to the elimination of the transcendent, biblical, and theological aspects of Scripture. He contrasts this with the Puritans, who were known for their intellectual power, zeal for God, and deep understanding of the human heart. The pastor warns of a famine of the Word of God, as both unbelievers and false Christians reject it in favor of other things.
The pastor then emphasizes the insignificance of preachers and the unfashionable nature of their preaching. He refers to the apostle Paul, who did not rely on superior speech or wisdom when proclaiming the testimony of God. The pastor explains that man's wisdom cannot lead to salvation, as the gospel is beyond human comprehension. Instead, it is through God's doing that individuals come to know and believe in Christ. He concludes by highlighting the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the truth of the gospel to believers.
The pastor further emphasizes the importance of the Bible and the love that true Christians have for Scripture. He explains that Grace Church is defined by its commitment to Holy Scripture and that the Bible is more precious than gold to believers. The pastor commends the congregation for their love for the Word of God and their hunger for truth. He also mentions the passing of influential theologian J.I. Packer and his understanding of the state of contemporary evangelicalism, contrasting it with the depth and wisdom found in the interpretation and application of Scripture by figures like Richard Baxter.
The pastor then discusses the full range of redemption that God has prepared for those who love Him. He explains that through the Holy Spirit, God has revealed to believers their predestination, chosenness, calling, salvation, and the wisdom of God. The pastor acknowledges that believers may feel like nobodies or nothings, but they possess the wisdom of God because of God's grace and mercy. The sermon concludes with a call to worship and a prayer for those who recognize their spiritual condition to cry out to God for wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification through Jesus Christ alone.
Finally, the pastor addresses the question of why believers continue to hold on to the Bible as the divine revelation from God, despite being ridiculed and unpopular in the world and even in the church. The pastor points to the text in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 as the answer to this question. The section emphasizes the wisdom of God revealed in Scripture, specifically the gospel and the word of the cross. The pastor highlights that nonbelievers find the message of the cross unreasonable and foolish, as it goes against their understanding and expectations.
Key Takeaways:
- The church is experiencing a trend of mediocrity and superficiality, leading to the elimination of the transcendent, biblical, and theological aspects of Scripture. This is a stark contrast to the Puritans, who were known for their intellectual power, zeal for God, and deep understanding of the human heart ([12:45]).
- The power of preaching lies not in the preacher or their eloquence, but in the Word of God itself. Man's wisdom cannot lead to salvation, as the gospel is beyond human comprehension. Instead, it is through God's doing that individuals come to know and believe in Christ ([24:30]).
- True Christians have a deep love for Scripture, seeing it as more precious than gold. This love for the Word of God and hunger for truth is what defines a true Christian and sets them apart from the superficiality of contemporary evangelicalism ([36:15]).
- Despite feeling like nobodies or nothings, believers possess the wisdom of God because of God's grace and mercy. This wisdom is revealed through the Holy Spirit, who teaches believers all things and prepares them for the full range of redemption that God has prepared for those who love Him ([48:20]).
- Believers continue to hold on to the Bible as the divine revelation from God, despite being ridiculed and unpopular in the world and even in the church. This is because they recognize the wisdom of God revealed in Scripture, specifically the gospel and the word of the cross, which nonbelievers find unreasonable and foolish ([59:10]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Psalm 119:97: "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day."
2. Psalm 40:8: "I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
3. John 6:68: "Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'"
4. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5: "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction."
5. 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16: This passage is referenced and quoted throughout the sermon, particularly verses 1:18, 1:21, 1:26-28, 2:1-2, and 2:14.
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 119:97 and Psalm 40:8 reveal about the psalmist's attitude towards God's law?
2. In John 6:68, why does Simon Peter say that Jesus has the words of eternal life?
3. What does 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 tell us about how the gospel came to the Thessalonians?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the psalmist's love for God's law in Psalm 119:97 and Psalm 40:8 relate to the believer's love for Scripture?
2. In John 6:68, what does Simon Peter's statement imply about the uniqueness of Jesus' words?
3. How does the power and conviction mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 reflect the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the truth of the gospel?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own attitude towards God's law. How does it compare to the psalmist's love and delight in Psalm 119:97 and Psalm 40:8? What is one way you can cultivate a deeper love for God's law this week?
2. Simon Peter recognized that Jesus' words are words of eternal life. How can you demonstrate this belief in your daily conversations and interactions?
3. The Thessalonians received the gospel not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power in sharing the gospel with others this week?
4. Reflect on 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16. How does this passage challenge the world's understanding of wisdom and power? How can you live out this biblical understanding of wisdom in your life this week?
Devotional
Day 1: The Depth of Puritan Faith
The modern church often falls into mediocrity and superficiality, eliminating the transcendent, biblical, and theological aspects of Scripture. This is a stark contrast to the Puritans, who were known for their intellectual power, zeal for God, and deep understanding of the human heart ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4HkMphUO3c&t=750s)). The Puritans' commitment to the Word of God and their hunger for truth should inspire us to deepen our own understanding and application of Scripture.
Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of Scripture? What steps can you take to avoid superficiality in your faith?
Day 2: The Power of God's Word
The power of preaching lies not in the preacher or their eloquence, but in the Word of God itself. Man's wisdom cannot lead to salvation, as the gospel is beyond human comprehension. Instead, it is through God's doing that individuals come to know and believe in Christ ([24:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4HkMphUO3c&t=1455s)).
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:13 - "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words."
Reflection: How can you rely more on God's wisdom rather than your own understanding? What steps can you take to deepen your reliance on the Word of God?
Day 3: Love for Scripture
True Christians have a deep love for Scripture, seeing it as more precious than gold. This love for the Word of God and hunger for truth is what defines a true Christian and sets them apart from the superficiality of contemporary evangelicalism ([36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4HkMphUO3c&t=2160s)).
Bible Passage: Psalm 119:127 - "Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper love for Scripture? Can you think of one specific way to make Scripture more central in your daily life?
Day 4: The Wisdom of God
Despite feeling like nobodies or nothings, believers possess the wisdom of God because of God's grace and mercy. This wisdom is revealed through the Holy Spirit, who teaches believers all things and prepares them for the full range of redemption that God has prepared for those who love Him ([48:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4HkMphUO3c&t=2885s)).
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:27 - "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
Reflection: How can you better recognize and appreciate the wisdom of God in your life? Can you think of a specific situation where you can apply God's wisdom today?
Day 5: Holding onto the Bible
Believers continue to hold on to the Bible as the divine revelation from God, despite being ridiculed and unpopular in the world and even in the church. This is because they recognize the wisdom of God revealed in Scripture, specifically the gospel and the word of the cross, which nonbelievers find unreasonable and foolish ([59:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4HkMphUO3c&t=3535s)).
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:18 - "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Reflection: How can you stand firm in your faith and commitment to the Bible, even when it's unpopular or ridiculed? Can you think of a specific way to demonstrate your commitment to the Bible in your daily life?
Quotes
"Our culture is embedded in proud mediocrity. That should be obvious to everyone...We get mediocrity because we want it. We actually crave it." - R.C. Sproul (source: [11:03])
"Pop culture Christianity serves nonbelievers just fine. People don’t want to take the Bible seriously, so why should the church take it seriously? Pastors seek cleverness, creativity style rather than demanding and rigorous study of Scripture." (source: [13:02])
"This generation is desperate for the Word of God, but it doesn’t want the Word of God. And the church continually gives the world what it wants, and so it becomes superficial." (source: [17:08])
"The mark of a true Christian is love for Scripture, love for Scripture whether it’s promises or commands." [02:16]
"Sadly, serious, careful, thoughtful, diligent labor in the Scripture to bring up its rich treasures is not popular these days even in churches." [09:15]
"The gospel, the word of the cross, is unreasonable. It is unattainable. It is beyond their ability to process. That is because they don’t get what they want. It doesn’t give them what they want." [32:47]
"The majority of believers are unimpressive... Look at how Paul piles up these statements of insignificance. 'Not many wise, not many mighty,' – that is, powerful, influential – 'not many noble,' – that means high born literally, high social rank... We’re not wise. We’re not powerful. We are foolish. We are weak." [36:39]
"We’re the nobodies, we get it. We’re the nothings. We’re the nonexistent. We’re the low of the low. But we have the wisdom of God because God in His grace and mercy called us." [49:06]
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