Returning to Biblical Authority: The Heart of Reformed Theology
Summary
In our time together, we explored the profound depths of Reformed theology and its implications for our lives as believers. Reformed theology, at its core, is about returning to the Bible as the ultimate authority and allowing it to shape our doctrine and practice. This approach emphasizes the glory of God above all else and seeks to restore the purity of the gospel and worship. The five 'solas' and the doctrines of grace are central to this understanding, reminding us that God formed the truth, which was later deformed by human traditions, and the Reformation was about returning to that original form.
We also delved into the nature of the human heart post-regeneration. While believers receive a new heart through Christ, sanctification is an ongoing process. Our hearts can still deceive us, but maturity in faith involves recognizing this and leaning into Christ for guidance and strength. This duality of the heart—being both new and yet capable of deceit—calls us to vigilance and reliance on God's Word.
When it comes to sharing the gospel, especially in environments where it might cost us dearly, wisdom and discernment are crucial. We must balance our responsibility to provide for our families and submit to our earthly authorities with our higher calling to share the gospel. Trusting God to open doors for us to share our faith responsibly and graciously is key.
The love of God is another area where distinctions are necessary. God's love is multifaceted, encompassing benevolence, beneficence, and the love of complacency. While God shows kindness to all, His special love is reserved for those in Christ. This understanding challenges the notion of unconditional love for all and underscores the necessity of repentance and faith in Christ.
Finally, we addressed the concept of seeking God. While it may appear that people are seeking God, they are often seeking the benefits only God can provide, without truly seeking Him. The church's role is not to tailor its worship to seekers but to remain faithful to its purpose of worship, teaching, and fellowship, trusting God to draw people to Himself.
Key Takeaways:
- Reformed theology is about returning to the Bible as the ultimate authority, emphasizing God's glory and the purity of the gospel. It seeks to restore what was deformed by human traditions, focusing on the five 'solas' and the doctrines of grace. [02:58]
- The believer's heart is both new and capable of deceit. Sanctification is a process, and maturity involves recognizing our heart's potential to lead us astray, prompting us to rely on Christ and His Word for guidance. [06:06]
- Sharing the gospel in challenging environments requires wisdom. We must balance our responsibilities with our calling to share the gospel, trusting God to open doors for us to do so responsibly and graciously. [08:10]
- God's love is multifaceted, with distinctions between benevolence, beneficence, and the love of complacency. His special love is reserved for those in Christ, challenging the notion of unconditional love for all. [11:43]
- People often seek the benefits only God can provide without truly seeking Him. The church's role is to remain faithful to its purpose of worship, teaching, and fellowship, trusting God to draw people to Himself. [27:52]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Introduction of Guest Speakers
[00:58] - Shepherds' Conference Recap
[02:10] - Understanding 'Reformed'
[04:21] - The Deceitful Heart
[07:21] - Sharing the Gospel Wisely
[09:56] - Understanding God's Love
[13:04] - Jesus' Reasonable Soul
[17:24] - Clergy Malpractice
[19:06] - Preparing Students for Public Schools
[22:46] - Mixed Faith Marriages
[25:08] - Seeking God Biblically
[28:34] - Seeker-Sensitive Churches
[32:12] - Defining False Teachers
[35:55] - Cultural Climate and the Church
[38:02] - Promoting Unity Without Compromise
[44:18] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"
2. 1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
3. Acts 17:27 - "That they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the core emphasis of Reformed theology, and how does it relate to the authority of Scripture? [02:58]
2. How does the sermon describe the dual nature of the believer's heart post-regeneration? [06:06]
3. What are the three types of divine love mentioned in the sermon, and how are they distinct from one another? [11:43]
4. In what way does the sermon suggest the church should approach its role in worship and evangelism? [27:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret Jeremiah 17:9 in the context of a believer's life, and what implications does this have for understanding one's own heart? [05:51]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the balance between sharing the gospel and fulfilling other responsibilities, such as providing for one's family? [08:10]
3. How does the sermon challenge the common notion of God's unconditional love, and what theological implications does this have for understanding salvation? [12:29]
4. According to the sermon, what is the church's primary purpose, and how does this align with the biblical understanding of seeking God? [27:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your heart led you astray. How can you better guard against this in the future by leaning into Christ and His Word? [06:36]
2. Consider your current work environment. How can you be wise and discerning in sharing your faith without compromising your responsibilities? [08:10]
3. How does understanding the different aspects of God's love affect your view of evangelism and sharing the gospel with others? [11:43]
4. In what ways can you ensure that your church remains focused on its biblical purpose of worship, teaching, and fellowship, rather than tailoring its services to seekers? [27:52]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you might be seeking the benefits of God without truly seeking Him. How can you shift your focus to genuinely pursue a relationship with God? [26:52]
6. How can you prepare yourself to give a defense for your faith, as instructed in 1 Peter 3:15, while maintaining gentleness and respect in your interactions? [19:40]
7. Think about a person in your life who may not know Christ. What steps can you take this week to engage them in a meaningful conversation about faith, while trusting God to open the right doors? [09:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Returning to Biblical Authority
Reformed theology emphasizes the importance of returning to the Bible as the ultimate authority in shaping our doctrine and practice. This approach seeks to restore the purity of the gospel and worship, focusing on the glory of God above all else. The five 'solas' and the doctrines of grace are central to this understanding, reminding believers that God's truth was formed, deformed by human traditions, and reformed to its original form during the Reformation. This return to biblical authority challenges us to examine our beliefs and practices, ensuring they align with Scripture and not merely human traditions. [02:58]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed human traditions to shape your beliefs? How can you return to the Bible as your ultimate authority today?
Day 2: The Duality of the Believer's Heart
The believer's heart, though made new through Christ, remains capable of deceit. Sanctification is an ongoing process, and maturity in faith involves recognizing our heart's potential to lead us astray. This awareness prompts us to rely on Christ and His Word for guidance and strength. The duality of the heart calls for vigilance and a continual leaning into Christ, acknowledging that while we are new creations, we are still in need of His transforming power. [06:06]
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." (Jeremiah 17:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you find your heart leading you astray? How can you lean into Christ for guidance in this area today?
Day 3: Sharing the Gospel with Wisdom
Sharing the gospel in challenging environments requires wisdom and discernment. Believers must balance their responsibilities to provide for their families and submit to earthly authorities with their higher calling to share the gospel. Trusting God to open doors for responsible and gracious sharing of faith is key. This balance involves seeking God's guidance in when and how to share the gospel, ensuring that our witness is both effective and respectful of the context in which we find ourselves. [08:10]
"Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a challenging environment where you feel called to share the gospel. How can you prepare yourself to do so with wisdom and grace today?
Day 4: Understanding God's Multifaceted Love
God's love is multifaceted, encompassing benevolence, beneficence, and the love of complacency. While God shows kindness to all, His special love is reserved for those in Christ. This understanding challenges the notion of unconditional love for all and underscores the necessity of repentance and faith in Christ. Recognizing these distinctions in God's love helps believers appreciate the depth of His grace and the importance of being in Christ to experience His special love. [11:43]
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the different aspects of God's love change your perspective on His grace? How can you respond to His special love today?
Day 5: Seeking God Beyond His Benefits
While it may appear that people are seeking God, they are often seeking the benefits only God can provide, without truly seeking Him. The church's role is to remain faithful to its purpose of worship, teaching, and fellowship, trusting God to draw people to Himself. This calls for a focus on genuine worship and discipleship, rather than tailoring church activities to attract seekers. Believers are encouraged to seek God for who He is, not just for what He can provide. [27:52]
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Are there ways in which you have been seeking God's benefits rather than God Himself? How can you shift your focus to truly seek Him today?
Quotes
"Well, I think when we say 'Reformed' we simply mean biblical. That we have come back to the Bible, and allow the Bible to frame our doctrine, and, of course, Dr. Sproul has an entire book on what is Reformed theology, and he has five hallmarks of Reformed theology. I would say certainly the foundation is the authority of Scripture alone and the highest pinnacle is the glory of God above all things, and it was a recovery -- or Reformed truth is the purity of the gospel: How sinful man can be right with holy God." [00:02:45]
"So, man, by his failure to properly teach the Bible deformed it and the Reformers simply put it back to the form as God had originally given it." [00:04:21]
"But even as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ -- and remember a part of the New covenant is being promised a new heart. So, in one sense the answer is no. It's not the same heart. This is a heart that has been converted. It's a heart that is regenerated. It's new. It's a new heart. But sanctification's a process. Justification's punctiliar. Sanctification is a process and sanctification's not an end unto itself." [00:06:10]
"Our sanctification's only completed in our glorification and that is yet to come. It's accomplished in Christ, as Paul makes clear in Romans chapter 8, but applied to us it's something for which we are still waiting, and so our heart can still deceive us, and we as Christians, perhaps as a sign of maturity, not of immaturity, understand, that at times we can't explain our own heart." [00:06:48]
"You want to be faithful to the gospel, but you don't want to be foolish. You want to be responsible. You want to take the long view and not the short view. You have a responsibility to provide for your family. If you don't do that you're worse than an infidel. You also have a responsibility, and this is explicit both in Colossians and Ephesians, that you're submit yourself to your master, whoever your boss is, whoever is over you." [00:07:21]
"I think you want to be as wise as you can be, and as submissive as you can be. And I would just encourage you to make those kinds of opportunities sort of dependent on the Lord opening a door for you on a personal level. If you ask the Lord to give you opportunity, I'm sure that that opportunity may arise, but I think it's irresponsible for you to overthrow your other Christian responsibilities and duties as somebody who's employed by someone, gainfully employed, taking their money and their resources with the expectation that you're going to perform according to the, you know, whatever the standard of that organization is, and reserve the opportunity to communicate the gospel for those times when it's right and the door is sensibly opened." [00:08:10]
"Historically and theologically we distinguish among three types of divine love. There is the love of benevolence, where God has a kind spirit to the whole world and His benevolent will, His benevolent love falls on everybody. But there's also the sense in which the Bible -- the love of God is defined in terms of God's beneficence. That is, that's not just simply what His attitude is towards the world, but how He displays that goodness universally." [00:09:56]
"But rather when the Scriptures indicate the love of complacency, it's that special love that God has for His Son and all of those who are in His Son and who are adopted into His family. And if we talk about the love of God and His terms of the love of complacency, and talk about it universally, that's blasphemy, because God does not love the whole world in the love of complacency." [00:11:43]
"When I hear preachers stand up and say that God loves everybody unconditionally, I want to scream and say, 'Wait a minute, then why does He call us to repent? Why does He call us to come to the cross? Why does He call us to come to Christ? If God loves everybody unconditionally then you can do whatever you want and believe whatever you think, and -- but that's just not true, that God loves us -- He's placed an absolute condition by which He requires.'" [00:12:25]
"From our perspective we know that the only way they're ever going to feel relief from their guilt, is if they come to Christ. We know that if they're ever going to find peace ultimately, it's going to be in Christ. We know that if they're ever going to find meaning and significance for their existence, it's only going to be in Christ. Without Christ they're without hope. But they are looking all over the place for the things that only God can give them." [00:25:08]
"So, if you want to have a seeker-sensitive church, that what that means, biblically, is that you organize and structure your worship and your church and your program for Christians, because the reason why churches exist in the first place are not for evangelism. They're for worship and for the gathering together of the saints, to apply themselves to the study of the Word of God, to prayer, and to fellowship, and the Lord's Supper, and that sort of thing." [00:27:52]
"Now, the whole church is responsible to do evangelism, but the purpose of the church itself, in terms of worship, and the gathering together on the Lord's Day is not to do evangelism. Now, I use evangelism all the time in the congregation, because I'm very much well aware that there are people who are there that aren't believers, and so I preach the gospel to them, but if I tailor the program for the unbeliever, that's totally antithetical to what the New Testament teaches, and what the Word of God teaches." [00:28:34]
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