The Beauty and Assurance of the Gospel
Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the profound beauty and depth of the gospel, emphasizing its trinitarian, scriptural, and Christ-centered nature. We began by acknowledging the importance of integrating arts and beauty into our community, reflecting God's nature as a God of truth, justice, and beauty. This sets the stage for understanding the gospel as a message that is not only true and good but also beautiful.
We delved into the essence of the gospel as outlined in Romans 1:1-4, highlighting its God-centered, scriptural, and trinitarian aspects. The gospel is not merely a message about human sin and salvation but a revelation of God's holiness and justice, fulfilled in Christ's atoning work. This understanding challenges the common evangelical tendency to start with human sinfulness rather than God's holiness, which can obscure the full scope of what Christ saves us from.
We also addressed the common misconception that the gospel is about what we do for God, rather than what God has done for us in Christ. This distinction is crucial for understanding the gospel's implications and for maintaining assurance of salvation. Assurance is not found by looking inward at our own efforts but by looking outward to Christ and His finished work.
Furthermore, we discussed the nature of sanctification, emphasizing that while believers are positionally holy in Christ, the process of becoming more like Him is ongoing and can vary in pace. This journey is marked by both progress and setbacks, but it is ultimately undergirded by the assurance that God will complete the work He has begun in us.
Finally, we explored the theological intricacies of Christ's nature and His work as our mediator. We affirmed the importance of understanding Christ's dual nature—fully divine and fully human—and how this underpins His role as our mediator and the assurance of our salvation.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Gospel's Foundation: The gospel is a God-centered, trinitarian message that reveals God's holiness and justice, fulfilled in Christ's atoning work. Understanding this foundation helps us grasp the full scope of salvation and the nature of God's grace. [05:26]
2. Assurance in Christ: Assurance of salvation is found not by introspection but by fixing our eyes on Christ and His finished work. This outward focus provides the confidence and joy that comes from knowing we are secure in Him. [11:40]
3. Sanctification's Journey: Sanctification is a process of growth in Christlikeness, marked by both progress and setbacks. It is a battle fought in the power of the Spirit, with the assurance that God will complete His work in us. [25:36]
4. Christ's Dual Nature: Understanding Christ's dual nature—fully divine and fully human—is essential for grasping His role as our mediator. This theological truth assures us of the sufficiency of His atoning work. [32:59]
5. The Beauty of Begetting: The distinction between being begotten and made underscores the eternal nature of the Son and the Father. This theological insight affirms the eternal relationship within the Trinity and the assurance of our adoption as God's children. [42:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Role of Arts in Community
- [01:17] - Discipleship and Community Impact
- [02:41] - Career Development Program
- [04:06] - Understanding the Gospel
- [05:26] - Trinitarian and Scriptural Message
- [07:37] - Starting with God's Holiness
- [08:43] - Gospel vs. Its Implications
- [10:39] - Justification by Faith Alone
- [12:00] - Assurance Through Christ
- [14:38] - Grace and Justice
- [17:46] - God's Justice and Mercy
- [21:08] - Sanctification Process
- [27:15] - God's Fatherly Nature
- [31:06] - Christ's Forsakenness and Mediation
- [37:06] - Ongoing Mediation of Christ
- [40:07] - The Only Begotten Son
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 1:1-4
- Romans 3:23-24
- Philippians 1:6
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 1:1-4, what are the key elements of the gospel as described by Paul? How do these elements reflect a trinitarian and scriptural message? [05:26]
2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that the gospel is not about what we do for God but what God has done for us in Christ. How does this distinction affect our understanding of salvation? [08:55]
3. What does the sermon say about the process of sanctification and how it varies among believers? How is this process supported by the assurance that God will complete His work in us? [25:36]
4. How does the sermon describe the dual nature of Christ and its importance for understanding His role as our mediator? [32:59]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does starting with God's holiness, rather than human sinfulness, change the way we understand the gospel and our need for salvation? [08:09]
2. The sermon emphasizes assurance in Christ rather than introspection. How might this perspective change a believer's daily walk and relationship with God? [11:40]
3. In what ways does the understanding of Christ's dual nature—fully divine and fully human—impact our view of His atoning work and mediation? [32:59]
4. How does the concept of being "begotten, not made" help us understand the eternal relationship within the Trinity and our adoption as God's children? [42:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of the gospel. How does the emphasis on God's holiness and justice challenge or affirm your perspective? What changes might you need to make in your approach to sharing the gospel with others? [08:09]
2. Assurance of salvation is found by fixing our eyes on Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to shift your focus from introspection to Christ's finished work? [11:40]
3. Consider the process of sanctification in your own life. Are there specific areas where you feel progress or setbacks? How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to guide you in this journey? [25:36]
4. How does understanding Christ's dual nature influence your confidence in His role as your mediator? In what ways can this understanding deepen your faith and trust in Him? [32:59]
5. The sermon highlights the beauty of the Trinity and our adoption as God's children. How can this theological insight inspire you to live out your identity as a child of God in your daily interactions? [42:25]
6. Reflect on a time when you struggled with assurance of salvation. How can the truths discussed in the sermon provide comfort and confidence in your relationship with God? [11:40]
7. Identify one aspect of the gospel that you find particularly beautiful or compelling. How can you share this aspect with someone in your life who may not yet understand the depth and beauty of the gospel? [05:26]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gospel's Trinitarian Foundation
The gospel is a profound revelation of God's holiness and justice, fulfilled through Christ's atoning work. It is not merely a message about human sin and salvation but a God-centered, trinitarian message that reveals the depth of God's grace. This understanding challenges the common tendency to start with human sinfulness, which can obscure the full scope of what Christ saves us from. By focusing on God's holiness first, we gain a clearer picture of the gospel's beauty and the nature of God's grace. [05:26]
Romans 11:33-36 (ESV): "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?' 'Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
Reflection: How does starting with God's holiness change your understanding of the gospel and its implications for your life today?
Day 2: Assurance Through Christ's Finished Work
Assurance of salvation is not found by looking inward at our own efforts but by fixing our eyes on Christ and His finished work. This outward focus provides the confidence and joy that comes from knowing we are secure in Him. It is crucial to understand that the gospel is about what God has done for us in Christ, not what we do for God. This distinction helps maintain assurance and prevents us from falling into the trap of self-reliance. [11:40]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from your own efforts to Christ's finished work today, and how might this change your sense of assurance and peace?
Day 3: The Journey of Sanctification
Sanctification is a process of growth in Christlikeness, marked by both progress and setbacks. While believers are positionally holy in Christ, the journey of becoming more like Him is ongoing and can vary in pace. This process is a battle fought in the power of the Spirit, with the assurance that God will complete His work in us. Understanding this journey helps us to be patient with ourselves and others as we grow in faith. [25:36]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you see both progress and setbacks in your journey of sanctification? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to continue growing in this area?
Day 4: Christ's Dual Nature as Mediator
Understanding Christ's dual nature—fully divine and fully human—is essential for grasping His role as our mediator. This theological truth assures us of the sufficiency of His atoning work and His ability to bridge the gap between God and humanity. Christ's dual nature underpins His role as our mediator, providing us with the assurance of salvation and the confidence to approach God with boldness. [32:59]
1 Timothy 2:5-6 (ESV): "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time."
Reflection: How does understanding Christ's dual nature as both fully divine and fully human impact your relationship with Him and your confidence in His mediation?
Day 5: The Beauty of Begetting
The distinction between being begotten and made underscores the eternal nature of the Son and the Father. This theological insight affirms the eternal relationship within the Trinity and the assurance of our adoption as God's children. Understanding this relationship helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the security of our identity as His children. [42:25]
John 1:14 (ESV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Reflection: How does the eternal relationship within the Trinity and the concept of being begotten, not made, deepen your understanding of your identity as a child of God?
Quotes
Romans 1 verse one Paul writes that he is a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through His prophets and the holy scriptures concerning his son who is descended from David according to the Flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the spirit of Holiness by his resurrection from the dead Jesus Christ Our Lord. [00:04:19]
First of all this is the gospel of God this is a god centered message um it is a scriptural message it is Promised through His prophets in the Holy scriptures when we say Gospel of God of course this is a trinitarian message because this is the gospel of God concerning his son who's declared to be the Son of God according to the spirit of Holiness. [00:05:09]
The gospel ultimately is not what what we do for God this is the gospel of God who is Holy and we are sinners so he's done something for us in Jesus Christ so the gospel is not what we do for God it's what he has done for us in Jesus Christ and the focal point then of the Gospel is Christ in him crucified risen and ascended and coming again in glory. [00:08:58]
The gospel gives Assurance not by encouraging us to look with within because when we look within we're reminded of our sin and how we have fallen short of the glory of God uh the gospel brings Assurance by reminding us of our sin and then forcing us to look outward to Christ in him crucified and seeing the sufficiency of his work on our behalf. [00:11:16]
Assurance comes when we take our eyes of off ourselves and fix them on Christ so Assurance Begins by looking outward in faith to Christ this this conference is on Creeds catechisms and confessions I would heartily recommend sitting down with the Westminster Confession chapter on Assurance and working through the proof texts and just slowly meditating upon that rich theological expression of assurance. [00:11:53]
The answer to your problems of assurance is found in a deeper knowledge of how the gospel works so for me I i' I'd add to some reading for me a book that was immensely helpful was Dr sproul's book faith alone going through justification by faith alone if you're struggling with Assurance I think that would be a great place to go and get yourself clearer on the doctrine of justification by faith alone and our Union with Christ. [00:13:24]
When we talk about sanctification um there are actually a few different things we're talking about um so on on the one hand um the apostles can write to churches and Paul for example can write to the Saints in Corinth which always seems a slightly comic thing that they seeing how they're behaving in Corinth they are Saints they are holy ones because their behavior doesn't seem very holy a lot of the time. [00:21:08]
But the point is that they are holy positionally in Christ and that is not a um that is not a spectrum you are either a saint in Jesus Christ or you are not but when we talk about sanctification we normally mean this process of growth in christlikeness and yet yes that is absolutely something um that can be quicker or slower we can keep in step with the spirit we can grieve the spirit. [00:21:55]
The Christian walk is one of progress and there's a lot of ups and downs in the Christian Life I I love that you came on to came back to Assurance because I actually wanted to come back to that as well there because I think misunderstanding the relationship between assurance and sanctification is a problem many Christians have and so especially for those lacking in assurance what they can often feel is if I am more progressively Sanctified that will mean I should have um a greater status and therefore a greater Assurance. [00:25:56]
The gospel works the other way around that it is when we understand the security that Believers can have in Christ that's the place from which we can boldly pray way our father lovingly walk with him and so find ourselves growing in in sanctification but if we make our Assurance entirely dependent on how we feel we're performing will always be unsure. [00:26:36]
The son is begotten not made so it's wanting to draw a distinction between begetting and making and this might help to make clear what that distinction is as a man I can make a donut but I can cannot beget a donut so I can make something that is not my nature I can beget human children I cannot make a human child so begetting is the bringing forth of the same kind of nature as myself. [00:40:25]
When we say that the son is begotten not made we're saying there is no time when the sun was constructed and started to exist he's always existed how's he always existed well he's always been eternally begotten of the father meaning he's of the very being of the father you've seen me you've seen the father and this is why we can say God is eternally father because he finds his nature eternally in begetting his son. [00:41:37]
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