Understanding the Church's Role and Salvation Across Covenants
Summary
In our gathering today, we delved into some profound theological questions that challenge our understanding of the church's role, the nature of salvation, and the interpretation of biblical covenants. We began by addressing the metaphor of the church as the body of Christ. It's crucial to distinguish between the unique, redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the church's role as a witness to that redemption. The church is not an extension of Christ's incarnation but a testament to His resurrection and ongoing work through the Spirit. This distinction helps us avoid the pitfalls of triumphalism and keeps our focus on Christ's completed work rather than our own efforts.
We also explored the complex relationship between Israel and the church, particularly in the context of eschatology and the fulfillment of God's promises. The discussion highlighted the ongoing debate within reformed theology about whether there is a future role for ethnic Israel or if the church has fully inherited these promises. This conversation underscores the importance of understanding the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments.
Another significant topic was the nature of salvation across different covenants. We affirmed that salvation has always been by grace through faith, whether in the Old Testament or the New. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament pointed forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, and believers then were saved in anticipation of what Christ would accomplish, just as we are saved by looking back at His finished work.
We also touched on the sensitive issue of how to minister to those grieving the loss of loved ones who may not have known Christ. It's a delicate balance of offering compassion and truth, affirming God's character and promises without giving false hope. Our role is to point to the hope and comfort found in God, even in the face of uncertainty about the eternal state of the deceased.
Finally, we discussed the concept of covenant renewal in worship, particularly through the Lord's Supper. This practice serves as a reminder of the New Covenant established by Christ's sacrifice and our ongoing relationship with Him. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to live under His lordship and a celebration of the grace that sustains us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Church as Witness, Not Incarnation: The church's role is to bear witness to Christ's resurrection and ongoing work through the Spirit, not to act as an extension of His incarnation. This distinction helps maintain a focus on Christ's completed work and prevents the church from falling into triumphalism. [04:08]
2. Israel and the Church: The relationship between Israel and the church is complex, with ongoing debates about the fulfillment of God's promises. Understanding this relationship requires a nuanced view of the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments, recognizing the church's role in God's redemptive plan. [10:01]
3. Salvation Across Covenants: Salvation has always been by grace through faith, whether in the Old Testament or the New. The sacrificial system pointed forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, and believers then were saved in anticipation of what Christ would accomplish, just as we are saved by looking back at His finished work. [17:00]
4. Ministering to the Grieving: When ministering to those grieving the loss of loved ones who may not have known Christ, it's important to offer compassion and truth. Affirm God's character and promises without giving false hope, and point to the comfort and hope found in God. [33:47]
5. Covenant Renewal in Worship: The practice of covenant renewal, particularly through the Lord's Supper, serves as a reminder of the New Covenant established by Christ's sacrifice. It reaffirms our commitment to live under His lordship and celebrates the grace that sustains us. [47:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Questions
- [01:20] - Church as Body of Christ
- [03:33] - Distinction Between Christ and Church
- [05:47] - Cremation and Resurrection
- [07:00] - Promises to Israel
- [10:01] - Israel and the Church
- [14:05] - Old Testament Atonement
- [17:00] - Salvation Across Covenants
- [20:07] - Carl Bart's Theology
- [22:11] - Federal Vision Controversy
- [28:59] - Daily Bread and Prayer
- [32:06] - Ministering to the Grieving
- [37:49] - Reality of Hell
- [42:01] - Leaving a Church
- [45:03] - Covenant Renewal in Worship
- [51:28] - Mosaic Covenant Discussion
- [59:10] - Conclusion and Thanks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 1:6 - "Then they gathered around him and asked him, 'Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?'"
2. Romans 11:25-26 - "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved."
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Observation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of the church as the body of Christ help us understand the church's role in relation to Christ's resurrection? [01:37]
2. What are the key points of debate regarding the relationship between Israel and the church as discussed in the sermon? [07:19]
3. How does the sermon describe the nature of salvation across different covenants? [17:00]
4. What guidance does the sermon offer for ministering to those grieving the loss of loved ones who may not have known Christ? [32:06]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the distinction between the church as a witness and not an incarnation of Christ prevent triumphalism within the church? [03:33]
2. How does the sermon suggest we understand the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments in relation to Israel and the church? [10:01]
3. What implications does the sermon draw from the idea that salvation has always been by grace through faith, both in the Old Testament and the New? [17:00]
4. How does the sermon propose we balance compassion and truth when comforting those who have lost loved ones who may not have known Christ? [33:47]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of the church's role as a witness to Christ's resurrection. How can you personally contribute to this role in your community? [01:37]
2. Considering the ongoing debates about the relationship between Israel and the church, how does this affect your view of God's promises and their fulfillment? [07:19]
3. How does the affirmation that salvation is by grace through faith influence your daily walk with God? Are there areas where you might be relying on your own efforts instead? [17:00]
4. When comforting someone who is grieving, how can you ensure that you are offering both compassion and truth without giving false hope? [33:47]
5. How does the practice of covenant renewal through the Lord's Supper impact your personal commitment to live under Christ's lordship? [47:50]
6. Identify a specific way you can remind yourself of the grace that sustains you in your daily life. How can this reminder influence your interactions with others?
7. Think of a recent situation where you had to balance truth and compassion. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in the future?
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Testament to Christ's Resurrection
The church is called to be a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His ongoing work through the Holy Spirit. It is not an extension of Christ's incarnation but serves as a testament to His completed work. This understanding helps the church avoid the dangers of triumphalism, where it might mistakenly focus on its own achievements rather than the redemptive work of Christ. By maintaining this distinction, the church can faithfully point others to the hope and salvation found in Jesus. [04:08]
Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV): "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively bear witness to Christ's resurrection in your daily interactions and community involvement?
Day 2: Understanding the Relationship Between Israel and the Church
The relationship between Israel and the church is a complex theological issue that requires careful consideration of the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments. There is an ongoing debate within reformed theology about whether ethnic Israel has a future role in God's redemptive plan or if the church has fully inherited these promises. This discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding how God's promises are fulfilled and the church's role in His overarching plan. [10:01]
Romans 11:17-18 (ESV): "But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you."
Reflection: How does understanding the church's relationship with Israel shape your view of God's promises and your role in His plan?
Day 3: Salvation by Grace Through Faith Across Covenants
Salvation has always been by grace through faith, whether in the Old Testament or the New. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament pointed forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, and believers were saved in anticipation of what Christ would accomplish. Today, believers are saved by looking back at His finished work. This continuity of salvation underscores the unchanging nature of God's grace and the centrality of faith in His redemptive plan. [17:00]
Hebrews 11:13 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth."
Reflection: Reflect on how the understanding of salvation by grace through faith impacts your relationship with God and your assurance of salvation.
Day 4: Compassionate Ministry to the Grieving
Ministering to those grieving the loss of loved ones who may not have known Christ requires a delicate balance of compassion and truth. It is important to affirm God's character and promises without giving false hope. The role of the believer is to point to the comfort and hope found in God, even amidst uncertainty about the eternal state of the deceased. This approach allows for genuine empathy while upholding the truth of the gospel. [33:47]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Reflection: How can you offer genuine comfort and hope to someone grieving, while remaining faithful to the truth of the gospel?
Day 5: Covenant Renewal Through the Lord's Supper
The practice of covenant renewal, particularly through the Lord's Supper, serves as a reminder of the New Covenant established by Christ's sacrifice. It is a reaffirmation of the believer's commitment to live under His lordship and a celebration of the grace that sustains them. This act of worship is a powerful reminder of the ongoing relationship with Christ and the community of believers. [47:50]
1 Corinthians 11:25-26 (ESV): "In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Reflection: How does participating in the Lord's Supper deepen your understanding of the New Covenant and your commitment to Christ?
Quotes
We always are the redeemed not the Redeemer and our work is never redeeming anything but a witness to the Redemption that has taken place in Christ and yet Paul can call Timothy a coworker uh in in in the work of God uh not because he is doing what Christ did but because he is proclaiming Christ. [00:04:08]
You know we hear this idea that in reformed theology we have a replacement doctrine that the church has replaced Israel and that all of the Old Testament prophecies and new that are specifically related to Israel have their fulfillment solely in the church. [00:07:16]
The difference is the Old Testament people were looking forward we're looking back essentially all right and so Michael let me ask you to drink it were the Jewish people in the Old Testament saved the same way we are saved or was salvation in a different economy then no it's always been. [00:16:39]
When a Jewish father in the Old Testament came home and his children asked him what were we doing and he said that I went to the temple and uh to make a sacrifice for sin and his son said do you believe that your sins were forgiven and he said yes and the son said why do you believe your sins were forgiven and he said because God promised. [00:14:55]
The fact that that the fact that Jesus says don't worry about it and he's the one who came up with a prayer that ought to be the answer to that question in other words you're supposed to pray this when you pray say give us today our daily bread and by the way don't worry about all these things. [00:31:56]
I am I am never going to come close to uh appearing somehow or another to have uh you know a theology for one department and another one you know to be you know in in in private I'm really clear and in public I'm I'm I'm I'm almost as bad as Carl Bart you know um so my approach to it is is to affirm. [00:33:47]
This is this is the god to whom we turn he's a god who's too wise to make mistakes and he's a god um too kind ever to be cruel we know these things about God and therefore you I know you're sad I know you're I know you're overwhelmed let me tell you about this God let me give you a portion of scripture. [00:34:38]
The elephant in the room is hell and the church almost never says anything in our day about hell and two weeks ago I had an opportunity to be with a fellow who I knew 15 20 years ago knew was a pagan he made no pretense of being a Christian he showed up at St Andrews about a year ago sat in the back row. [00:37:49]
I think a lot of it depends on on where you you know which which you emphasize but even there most of the things that a lot of people are concerned about most passages relevant passages here don't concern Romans 9 through1 but other issues like a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and and so forth. [00:09:41]
The practice of covenant renewal, particularly through the Lord's Supper, serves as a reminder of the New Covenant established by Christ's sacrifice. It reaffirms our commitment to live under His lordship and celebrates the grace that sustains us. [00:47:50]
The Sovereign gave the terms and said you either keep them or you're out and a royal Grant was was a a you know a gift of of something uh usually because of services rendered so like a Knighthood like the one you got um a a Knighthood where uh you get in perpetuity for you and your children something. [00:48:08]
The Mosaic Covenant itself the terms of the Mosaic Covenant were Do or Die straight law giving no power to fulfill it blessing or curse blessing or curse but that to which it pointed was the Gospel in other words as one of the reasons I think it's so important that Israel do everything exactly the way God said. [00:59:10]
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