Understanding God's Nature: Grace, Judgment, and Prayer

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored some profound theological questions and concepts, aiming to deepen our understanding of God's nature and our relationship with Him. We began by addressing the common misconception about hell being a separation from God. In reality, hell is the presence of God in His wrath, where sinners are separated from His grace and mercy but not from His presence. This understanding challenges us to reconsider the nature of divine judgment and the seriousness of sin.

We then delved into the essence of Reformed theology, emphasizing that it is not merely about the doctrines of grace but a comprehensive understanding of God that informs every aspect of our theology. This holistic view should lead to humility, as it underscores that everything we receive from God is purely by His grace, leaving no room for arrogance.

The discussion on sanctification highlighted its synergistic nature, where both God and believers are actively involved. While God works within us to will and to do His good pleasure, we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, emphasizing the cooperative aspect of our spiritual growth.

We also touched on the nature of prayer, affirming that it should be trinitarian. While we primarily address the Father, it is appropriate to pray to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, recognizing their roles in intercession and aiding us in prayer.

Finally, we tackled the controversial phrase in the Apostles' Creed about Jesus descending into hell. This phrase has been debated, with interpretations varying from a literal descent to a metaphorical understanding of Christ's suffering on the cross as the essence of hell.

Key Takeaways:

- Hell and God's Presence: Hell is not the absence of God but the presence of God in His wrath. This understanding challenges us to grasp the gravity of sin and the reality of divine judgment, urging us to seek God's grace and mercy while it is available. [02:02]

- Reformed Theology and Humility: True understanding of Reformed theology should lead to humility, as it emphasizes God's grace as the sole source of our salvation. This perspective dismantles any grounds for arrogance, reminding us that our standing before God is entirely due to His unmerited favor. [04:00]

- Sanctification as Synergistic: Sanctification involves both divine and human effort. While God works within us, we are called to actively pursue holiness, highlighting the cooperative nature of our spiritual growth and the importance of our response to God's work in us. [11:09]

- Trinitarian Prayer: Our prayers should reflect the trinitarian nature of God, acknowledging the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This approach enriches our prayer life, recognizing the intercessory work of Jesus and the Spirit's aid in our communication with God. [13:21]

- Understanding the Apostles' Creed: The phrase "descended into hell" in the Apostles' Creed can be understood metaphorically, referring to Christ's suffering on the cross as the essence of hell. This interpretation aligns with the view that Jesus' atoning work was completed before His death. [21:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Q&A
- [01:23] - Understanding Hell and God's Presence
- [03:12] - Humility in Reformed Theology
- [05:04] - The Scope of Reformed Theology
- [06:37] - Doctrine of God in Reformed Theology
- [08:58] - Synergistic Nature of Sanctification
- [12:04] - Trinitarian Nature of Prayer
- [14:04] - The Apostles' Creed and Descent into Hell
- [22:03] - Ongoing Confession and Forgiveness
- [25:34] - Longing for Heaven and Gratitude
- [28:21] - Influential Books and Calvin's Institutes
- [30:48] - Miracles Today vs. Biblical Times
- [36:27] - Personal Reflections and Goals
- [38:05] - Advice for Aspiring Ministers
- [41:03] - Addressing "God Loves the Sinner" Statement
- [43:15] - Closing Remarks and Blessings

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
2. Matthew 10:28 - "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
3. John 14:13-14 - "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how is hell described in relation to God's presence? [02:02]
2. What is the central idea of Reformed theology that should lead to humility, as discussed in the sermon? [04:00]
3. How does the sermon describe the nature of sanctification? What role do believers play in this process? [11:09]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of prayer and its trinitarian aspect? [13:21]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding of hell as the presence of God in His wrath change the way one views sin and divine judgment? [02:02]
2. In what ways does Reformed theology's emphasis on grace challenge common perceptions of religious arrogance? [04:00]
3. How does the cooperative nature of sanctification, as described in the sermon, affect a believer's approach to spiritual growth? [11:09]
4. What implications does the trinitarian nature of prayer have for a believer's relationship with each member of the Trinity? [13:21]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of hell. How does viewing it as the presence of God in His wrath rather than separation from God impact your spiritual life and urgency in sharing the gospel? [02:02]
2. Consider your attitude towards grace. How can you cultivate humility in your daily life, recognizing that everything you have is by God's grace? [04:00]
3. In what ways can you actively participate in your sanctification process this week? Identify one specific area where you can work alongside God to pursue holiness. [11:09]
4. How can you incorporate a trinitarian approach to your prayer life? This week, try addressing each member of the Trinity in your prayers and reflect on how it enriches your communication with God. [13:21]
5. The sermon discusses the phrase "descended into hell" from the Apostles' Creed. How does understanding this phrase metaphorically, as Christ's suffering on the cross, influence your view of His atoning work? [21:12]
6. Identify a situation in your life where you might be relying on your own strength rather than God's grace. How can you shift your perspective to depend more on His grace this week? [04:00]
7. Think of a person in your life who may not understand the gravity of sin and divine judgment. How can you engage them in a conversation about God's grace and mercy while it is available? [02:02]

Devotional

Day 1: The Reality of Hell as God's Presence in Wrath
Hell is often misunderstood as a place where God is absent. However, it is crucial to recognize that hell is the presence of God in His wrath, where sinners are separated from His grace and mercy but not from His presence. This understanding challenges us to grasp the gravity of sin and the seriousness of divine judgment. It urges us to seek God's grace and mercy while it is available, as the reality of hell underscores the importance of our relationship with God and the consequences of rejecting His love. [02:02]

2 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (ESV): "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed."

Reflection: Consider how your understanding of hell influences your view of sin and divine judgment. How does this perspective motivate you to seek God's grace and mercy today?


Day 2: Humility Through Reformed Theology
Reformed theology offers a comprehensive understanding of God that informs every aspect of our faith. It emphasizes that everything we receive from God is purely by His grace, leaving no room for arrogance. This perspective should lead to humility, as it reminds us that our standing before God is entirely due to His unmerited favor. By embracing this truth, we are encouraged to live humbly, recognizing that our salvation and every blessing are gifts from God, not achievements of our own. [04:00]

James 4:6 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

Reflection: Reflect on areas in your life where pride may have taken root. How can you actively cultivate humility by acknowledging God's grace as the source of all you have?


Day 3: The Synergistic Nature of Sanctification
Sanctification is a cooperative process involving both divine and human effort. While God works within us to will and to do His good pleasure, we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This highlights the importance of our active pursuit of holiness and our response to God's work in us. Understanding sanctification as synergistic encourages us to engage in spiritual disciplines and seek God's guidance as we grow in our faith. [11:09]

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: Identify one spiritual discipline you can commit to this week to actively participate in your sanctification. How can you rely on God's strength as you pursue this discipline?


Day 4: Embracing Trinitarian Prayer
Prayer should reflect the trinitarian nature of God, acknowledging the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While we primarily address the Father, it is appropriate to pray to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, recognizing their roles in intercession and aiding us in prayer. This approach enriches our prayer life, deepening our relationship with each person of the Trinity and enhancing our understanding of their unique contributions to our spiritual journey. [13:21]

Ephesians 2:18 (ESV): "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father."

Reflection: Consider how you can incorporate a trinitarian approach in your prayer life. How might this change the way you communicate with God and deepen your relationship with each person of the Trinity?


Day 5: Understanding Christ's Descent into Hell
The phrase "descended into hell" in the Apostles' Creed has been debated, with interpretations varying from a literal descent to a metaphorical understanding of Christ's suffering on the cross as the essence of hell. This interpretation aligns with the view that Jesus' atoning work was completed before His death, emphasizing the depth of His suffering for our sins. Reflecting on this aspect of the Creed can deepen our appreciation for Christ's sacrifice and the extent of His love for us. [21:12]

1 Peter 3:18-19 (ESV): "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison."

Reflection: How does understanding Christ's suffering as the essence of hell impact your view of His sacrifice? In what ways can you express gratitude for His atoning work in your daily life?

Quotes


This idea that hell is separation from God, I think is a myth and I think it's a very dangerous myth. The idea is in biblical terms that what happens in hell is that we are separated from the benefits of God, we're separated from the mercy of God, we're separated from the grace of God. [00:01:52]

The hellishness of hell is the presence of God in his judgment. The way the question was asked is the distinction between being outside the presence of God and the other part of his gods being separated from being separated from that's really a distinction without a difference, because they both mean the same thing. [00:02:20]

If we really embrace and understand the central ideas of grace that are inherent to reformed theology, there's no possible room for arrogance, judgmentalism because of any people should understand the principle of their but for the grace of God go I, it's those who are students of reformed theology. [00:03:41]

At the heart of reformed theology we're taught that all that we receive from God is sheerly and purely from his grace we have nothing of which to boast if anything should reduce us to humility, it's the understanding of God and his grace that is central to the reformed faith. [00:04:09]

Our doctrine of God informs every other doctrine in our system of thought. It informs our understanding of justification of Christology, of predestination of the doctrine of sin, our doctrine of the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of eschatology. Every element of our theology is informed and controlled by our doctrine of God. [00:07:55]

What the unique dimension of reformed theology is is that it is regeneration that is monarchistic, that in the work of regeneration by which we are liberated from our bondage to sin by the work of the Holy Spirit who alone changes the dispositions of our hearts and brings us to faith, that is monarchistic. [00:10:00]

When we talk about synergism, when it says that that the God is at work within us both the will and to do, that's only the second part of the sentence. The first part of the sentence is an admonition for us to work out our salvation. Why? Because God is at work within us both to will and to do. [00:10:54]

Our prayer should be trinitarian in its orientation. We are praying ultimately to the Father and his sovereignty, but there are two ways in which our prayers are mediated to the Father by the other two members of the Trinity. Jesus is our great high priest, Jesus as our high priest is our intercessor. [00:12:12]

In this trinitarian work as I'm praying I ask the Spirit I say oh Holy Spirit, third person of the Trinity very God a very God, help me to pray a right, help me to pray in a manner that is pleasing to the Father help carry my prayer to the Son that he may take it to the Father. [00:13:21]

Calvin would say the order is Jesus was crucified, descended into hell, dead and was buried, that the descent into hell took place not after he died, but on the cross because that was the essence of his suffering and the propitiation that he gave to the Father that he would suffer the punishment due to us which was hell. [00:21:05]

The suffering the atoning work was done and so any suffering of hell vicariously by Jesus for us was done before he died, not after it died that's the way Calvin looked at it, and I think he was right and that ultimately goes back to our first question, because Jesus in in suffering hell was not separated from God. [00:21:28]

The first reason why we continue to pray is because the New Testament enjoins us to do that and not because we are undermining the expiation for our sins that was accomplished by Jesus in the cross but it's for our benefit in our sanctification to keep short accounts as it were with God. [00:22:03]

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Transcript
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