Understanding God's Love and the Role of the Church

 

Summary

In our time together, we delved into some profound theological questions that have long intrigued and challenged believers. We began by exploring the concept of the Christian Sabbath, tracing its historical significance and theological implications. The Sabbath, as a creation institution, is not merely a Mosaic law but a divine blessing for humanity, emphasizing rest and worship as integral to our spiritual lives.

We then turned our attention to the profound title of Jesus as the "Lamb of God," a designation that encapsulates the fulfillment of Old Testament sacrificial systems. Jesus' once-for-all atonement stands in stark contrast to the repetitive sacrifices of old, highlighting the sufficiency and finality of His sacrifice for those He calls.

The discussion on John 3:16 and the doctrine of election brought to light the complexity of God's love and the scope of Christ's atonement. While God's love is universal in its offer, it is particular in its saving effect, a truth that calls for a nuanced understanding of Scripture and a commitment to evangelism without compromising doctrinal integrity.

We also examined the nature of God's love, distinguishing between His general benevolent love for all creation and His specific saving love for the elect. This distinction underscores the mystery of divine election and the depth of God's grace towards those He has chosen.

Finally, we addressed the role of the church in a secular world, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of worship and the proclamation of the gospel. The church's mission is not to conform to the world but to stand as a beacon of truth, calling all to repentance and faith in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian Sabbath is a creation ordinance, not merely a Mosaic law, emphasizing the importance of rest and worship as foundational to our spiritual well-being. This understanding challenges us to prioritize our time with God and recognize the Sabbath as a gift for our benefit. [03:10]

- Jesus as the "Lamb of God" signifies the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, offering a once-for-all atonement that is sufficient for those He calls. This truth invites us to rest in the assurance of our salvation, knowing that Christ's sacrifice is complete and final. [05:14]

- The doctrine of election and John 3:16 highlight the complexity of God's love, which is universal in its offer but particular in its saving effect. This calls us to a deeper understanding of Scripture and a commitment to evangelism that respects God's sovereignty. [09:14]

- God's love is both general and specific, with a benevolent care for all creation and a saving love for the elect. This distinction reminds us of the mystery of divine election and the depth of God's grace towards those He has chosen. [16:03]

- The church's role is to maintain the integrity of worship and the proclamation of the gospel, standing as a beacon of truth in a secular world. This mission challenges us to resist conforming to worldly standards and to uphold the truth of God's Word. [33:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Q&A
- [01:02] - Understanding the Christian Sabbath
- [04:01] - Jesus as the Lamb of God
- [05:42] - Harmonizing John 3:16 with Election
- [09:33] - Evangelism and Calvinism
- [12:10] - Historical Evangelism by Calvinists
- [15:26] - Does God Love Everyone?
- [18:20] - God's Eternal Love and Wrath
- [23:03] - Christ's Rule in the World Today
- [30:12] - Purpose of Worship Services
- [36:14] - Seeker-Sensitive Movement Critique
- [38:08] - Responding to Godless Institutions
- [42:43] - Introducing Reformed Doctrine
- [46:04] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:2-3
2. John 1:29
3. John 3:16

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Genesis 2:2-3, what did God do on the seventh day, and how does this relate to the concept of the Sabbath as discussed in the sermon? [03:10]

2. In John 1:29, John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the "Lamb of God." What Old Testament practices does this title connect to, and what significance does it hold in the sermon? [05:14]

3. How does the sermon explain the use of the word "world" in John 3:16, and what are the implications for understanding the scope of God's love? [09:14]

4. What distinction does the sermon make between God's general love for all creation and His specific saving love for the elect? [16:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the understanding of the Sabbath as a creation ordinance challenge contemporary views on rest and worship? What implications does this have for modern believers? [03:10]

2. The sermon highlights Jesus' role as the "Lamb of God" and the sufficiency of His sacrifice. How does this understanding affect the believer's assurance of salvation? [05:14]

3. In discussing John 3:16 and the doctrine of election, the sermon presents a nuanced view of God's love. How does this complexity influence the way believers approach evangelism? [09:14]

4. The sermon distinguishes between God's general and specific love. How does this distinction help believers understand the mystery of divine election and grace? [16:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current practice of observing the Sabbath. How can you better prioritize rest and worship in your weekly routine to align with the understanding of the Sabbath as a creation ordinance? [03:10]

2. In what ways can you find assurance in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice as the "Lamb of God"? How does this assurance impact your daily life and spiritual walk? [05:14]

3. Considering the complexity of God's love as discussed in the sermon, how can you engage in evangelism that respects God's sovereignty while still being inclusive in your outreach efforts? [09:14]

4. How does the distinction between God's general and specific love challenge your understanding of grace? In what ways can this understanding deepen your appreciation for God's election? [16:03]

5. The sermon emphasizes the church's role in maintaining the integrity of worship and the proclamation of the gospel. How can you contribute to your church's mission to stand as a beacon of truth in a secular world? [33:44]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to conform to worldly standards. How can the church's mission to uphold the truth of God's Word encourage you to resist such pressures? [33:44]

7. Identify one area in your life where you can better align with the church's mission to call others to repentance and faith in Christ. What steps can you take this week to act on this commitment? [33:44]

Devotional

Day 1: The Sabbath as a Divine Gift
The Christian Sabbath is more than a relic of Mosaic law; it is a creation ordinance, a divine blessing meant for humanity's benefit. It emphasizes the importance of rest and worship as foundational to our spiritual well-being. By understanding the Sabbath as a gift, believers are challenged to prioritize their time with God, recognizing the Sabbath as an opportunity to rejuvenate spiritually and physically. This understanding calls for a reevaluation of how we spend our time, urging us to see the Sabbath as a day set apart for rest and communion with God. [03:10]

"So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time this week to rest and worship, treating the Sabbath as a divine gift rather than an obligation?


Day 2: Jesus, the Fulfillment of Sacrifice
Jesus as the "Lamb of God" signifies the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system, offering a once-for-all atonement that is sufficient for those He calls. This truth invites believers to rest in the assurance of their salvation, knowing that Christ's sacrifice is complete and final. The contrast between the repetitive sacrifices of the past and the sufficiency of Jesus' atonement highlights the depth of God's love and the security of our redemption in Him. [05:14]

"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you live out the assurance of your salvation today, knowing that Jesus' sacrifice is complete and final?


Day 3: The Complexity of God's Love
The doctrine of election and John 3:16 highlight the complexity of God's love, which is universal in its offer but particular in its saving effect. This calls for a deeper understanding of Scripture and a commitment to evangelism that respects God's sovereignty. Believers are encouraged to embrace the mystery of divine election while actively participating in the mission of sharing the gospel, trusting in God's perfect plan and timing. [09:14]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him." (Ephesians 1:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you balance the call to evangelism with the understanding of God's sovereignty in your interactions with others this week?


Day 4: The Mystery of Divine Election
God's love is both general and specific, with a benevolent care for all creation and a saving love for the elect. This distinction reminds believers of the mystery of divine election and the depth of God's grace towards those He has chosen. Understanding this duality encourages a humble and grateful response to God's grace, recognizing that His love is both vast and deeply personal. [16:03]

"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." (2 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on the personal nature of God's love for you. How does this understanding impact your relationship with Him and others?


Day 5: The Church as a Beacon of Truth
The church's role is to maintain the integrity of worship and the proclamation of the gospel, standing as a beacon of truth in a secular world. This mission challenges believers to resist conforming to worldly standards and to uphold the truth of God's Word. By embracing this calling, the church can effectively witness to the transformative power of the gospel, inviting others to experience the hope and redemption found in Christ. [33:44]

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to your church's mission of being a beacon of truth in your community this week?

Quotes


The basic line that I would argue is, um, twofold. First of all, uh, John at the beginning of the book of the Revelation, John 1:10, says, "I was in the spirit on the Lord's day." That means there is a Lord's Day in the New Covenant. That doesn't solve exactly which is the Lord's day or all the implications of that, but it's a clear indication all days are not alike in the New Covenant. [00:02:19]

When it comes to the fourth Commandment, the critical question is, is the Sabbath of the fourth Commandment simply a mosaic institution in which one could well argue it has passed away with so much of the Mosaic institutions for Israel, or is it a creation institution, in which case in some sense it continues forever with creation? [00:02:53]

The writer of Hebrews said that they would be offered time and time again, and the atonement was in that blood according to Leviticus 17:11. And so it made atonement for their sins, but of course, they would sin and then sin again and then have to go back in and make another sacrifice. But again, the writer of Hebrews said that when Jesus Christ gave his life, it was once and for all a sufficient atonement for us. [00:04:19]

The doctrine of election and John 3:16 highlight the complexity of God's love, which is universal in its offer but particular in its saving effect. This calls us to a deeper understanding of Scripture and a commitment to evangelism that respects God's sovereignty. [00:05:30]

God's disposition towards the world in sending his son, God the Father was motivated by love to send his son, and that's a glorious statement. And I don't think that it specifically identifies for whom Christ died. I think there are too many other verses where Jesus specifies he lays down his life for the sheep, that he purchased the church with his own blood, Paul said. [00:07:31]

God has a general love for everyone, that's a benevolent love of caring, providing life, providing food and water, with some exceptions. I mean, God is so loving he feeds the animals, he causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. And so God has a broad, general, non-saving, non-redemptive love for all mankind. [00:15:22]

The father, in the mystery of his infinite character, both loved us with an everlasting love but was angry with us as sinners. And the great glory of the Cross is it shows us how love and justice can meet, how righteousness and love can be reconciled. And it can't happen in us or through us; it can only happen through another. [00:18:37]

The primary purpose of the worship service is not to attract the unbeliever. So the seeker-sensitive movement has flipped the church upside down on its head. The primary purpose of the worship service, amazingly, is to worship. So it's first and foremost for the exaltation of the name of God. [00:30:14]

We do want unbelievers to come to church, but we're not going to compromise the worship service. We're not going to dilute it and water it down with secular activities and turn this into a three-ring circus with all kinds of gimmicks and flashing lights and smoke machines and all the rest. We're not here for that. [00:31:58]

The success of the worship service is not judged by how many people walked an aisle, how many people raised a hand and parroted a prayer. The success of the worship service is, was God pleased with the worship that ascended up to him? [00:34:37]

I think we have to challenge it in the first place theologically and biblically as you were doing, but also challenge the pragmatists in their own terms. Is it working? Are we seeing lots of people being saved? Are they being built up in the faith? And the answer is no, by any objective standard. [00:37:47]

I do think as the church in particular, we have to make clear to the world that we are not picking on certain sins and ignoring other sins. So we have to be sure we preach as much against heterosexual sins as we do against homosexual sins, as much against pre-marital sex and as against adultery. [00:41:38]

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Transcript
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