Gospel Basics Part 2 Joint -- 3 Dimension of the Cross 2020

 Three Dimensions of The Gospel Home Study Assignment: Part 2 of the Gospel Basics Vertical (Divinity to Humanity Reconciliation) Colossians 1:21-23 Romans 5:12-19; 8:1-4 Matthew 27:51 John 3:10-21, esp. 17-18 Horizontal Dimension (Humanity to Humanity Reconciliation) Ephesians 2:11-18 Galatians 3:26-29 1 John 4:7 ff. John 17:20-23 Revelation 5:9-10; 7:9-10 Depth Dimension (Reconciliation Across Time) Hebrews 9:24-10:10 1 Peter 3:18 (Note: If short on time, read the passages in bold.) I. The Three Dimensions of the Cross and Gospel: (Review of Homework Assignment) A. Vertical Dimension B. Horizontal Dimension C. Depth or Thickness Dimension II. The Dangers of Teaching Only One of the Three Dimensions of the Gospel A. Vertical Dimension Only: A Personal Piety That Is Detached from the Moral Obligations to Society and to the Saints or Church 1. Past Examples of the Results of This Type of Detachment (Ask class members to comment!) a. Sexism b. Classism c. Racism and Ethnocentrism d. Nationalism B. Horizontal Dimension Only: 1. First Problem: Failure to Fully Understand The Genesis of Healthy Relationships The first problem is the result of having a social morality that is detached from a higher source that lies outside of human manipulation. For Christians, to have a morality that is detached from a healthy and mature personal relationship with God is the definition of ethical and spiritual dysfunction. System theories of health and dysfunctions postulate that the problem of dysfunctional relationships among one's peers often has their genesis in a dysfunctional relationship with the individual's parental figures. If this is true of our earthly relationship, what does this say about our spiritual and ethical relationship. If a person does not have a healthy relationship with the Heavenly Father, what are the odds that he or she can have a healthy relationship with his or her spiritual siblings? 2. Second Problem: Failure to Fully Understand Human Nature and Its Destructiveness The second problem lies with not having a full understanding of (1) human nature (Theological Anthropology), (2) the reality of evil in ourselves and in the world, and (3) the need for a radical transformation of the human mind, body, and spirit (Soteriology). A full understanding of these matters leads one to declare that humans "must be born anew!" Without a transforming relationship with God, humanity cannot have a transforming relationship with one another. Humanity will continue to be a willing victim of its own evil and depravity. The greatest threat to human life is humanity itself. Looking to ourselves for moral and spiritual grounding and guidance is akin to the spiritual blind leading the spiritual blind across a tight rope. 3. Third Problem: Failure of Providing a Moral Grounding For One's Ethics With only a horizontal dimension, we must deal with the third problem of moral grounding. Whose sacred canopy or understanding of "right or wrong" or of "reality" itself do we use: secular humanists', social progressives', anarchists', chaos theorists', hedonists', moral relativists', etc.? If "all metaphysics are relative," then even this concept of "relativity" is relative. If there are no absolutes, then even the saying that "There are no absolutes" is relative. Where do we go for grounding? With only a horizontal dimension, we can neither justify nor condemn another's beliefs or actions: killing, robbing, sexual violence, physical abuse, etc. We are simply left with might or "power makes right". (Have the class make comments and observations regarding all three problems above.) C. Depth Dimension Only: Accepting only this dimension leaves a person open to all the previous errors listed in sections A and B. Why does holding or accepting only the depth (time) dimension engenders one to make all the errors of those who accept and acknowledge only the vertical dimension and all of the errors of those who accept and acknowledge only the horizontal dimension? Without the vertical and horizontal dimensions, Christ's death is detached from any vertical or horizontal grounding of accountability and responsibility; Christ's death is "without" an end purpose, that is, (1) humanity's need to be reconciled with both God and with each other and (2) our need for total transformation and holiness. Without such end purposes, individuals fall prey to all of the abuses listed above. Dietrich Bonhoeffer argued that while Grace was free it was not cheap. A great price was paid for our ransom from the power of sin and death. Our salvation was bought for a price that was beyond our ability to pay. For Christians to continue in a life of permissiveness and narcissism is to consider what Christ has done to be of little value and worth. Such persons believe in "Cheap Grace." But for those who believe that Christ's life, passion, death, and resurrection were priceless, and beyond measure, their lives will reflect such a belief. Holding to this belief in the "Costly Grace" wrought by Christ at Calvary, such persons are more likely to live spiritually, responsible lives. Rejecting this truth that Christ died once for all, also has the same effect. It requires Christ to be crucified over and over again. Such a position tells us that Christ's life, passion, death, and resurrection were not enough to satisfy the demands of a righteous and holy God. It cheapens the worth and scope of what Christ has done. Christ's passion only covered one sin out of the many that an individual has and will commit; Christ's life and death did not pay for all of a person's sins-let alone all of humanity's. Christ would have to die several million times for each of the several billion persons who have lived and will live on this earth. III. Applications for One's Personal or Marital Life A. Vertical Implications 1. What is our primary responsibility and loyalty and to whom? (Hint: Matthew 22:38.) 2. What is our ultimate goal in life? (Hint: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.) 3. What should be the focus of one's marriage, one's relationships, and one's goals for one's life? 4. What are the negative implications if one fails to apply the principle of this dimension to one's marriage or relationships? B. Horizontal Implications 1. What is our secondary responsibility? 2. What are the goals of one's marriage, one's relationships, and one's goals for life? 3. What type of behavior would be evident (Hint: See Ephesians 4 and 5)? 4. What are the negative implications if one fails to apply the principle of this dimension to one's marriage or relationships? Facilitators Note: You may want to introduce Jesus' words from Matthew 22:24-40 (The Greatest Commandments) and tie in the problems of having only a horizontal dimension to the problem of relationships today and of two people having different goals or end purposes. C. Depth Implications 1. How does the "Once and for All" principle translates into one's marriage? Is there an echo of this principle in the wedding vows? 2. What does this say about forgiveness and mercy? 3. What are the negative implications if one fails to apply the principle of this dimension to one's marriage, family, or relationships? IV. Lesson Summary and Review and Preview of Coming Lesson A. Summary and Review 1. What Are the Three Dimensions of the Gospel? a. Vertical = b. Horizontal = c. Depth = 2. What Are the Errors Associated with Focusing Only on One Dimension Versus All Three Dimensions? 3. How Do These Truths Apply to One's Own Life and Action and Emphasis? B. Preview of Next Lesson (Pass Out Next Week's Lesson Assignment) C. Closing Prayer Home Study Assignment--Two Sides of the -Cross and Salvation: Will Pagans Be Saved? Part 3 of the Gospel Basics I. HUMAN or SUBJECTIVE SIDE (What We Must Do) II. DIVINE or OBJECTIVE SIDE (What God has done) A. Christian Response (i.e., Those who hear the message of Jesus) 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (Cross and Resurrection) John 3:16, 18; 20:31 (Belief and Confession) Hebrews 8:1-3; 9:11-14, 24-28 (Christ as High Priest) Acts 2:38 (Repentance and Baptism in Jesus) Acts 4:12 (Only One Name Which Saves) Romans 10:9, 13 (Confession and Belief) Romans 5:17 (Gift of Salvation through One Man) John 5:1-12 (Belief and Right Living) Ephesians 1:3-7; 2:4-10 (Before the foundation of the world, God's purpose . . . .) 1 Timothy 2:5 (There is only one mediator . . ..) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ III. Pagan, Buddhist, Hindu, or Agnostic Responses (i.e., Those who have not heard the message of Jesus.) 1. Natural Theology/Natural Philosophy 2. Moral Theology, Moral Philosophy, and Human Conscience Psalms 8 and Psalms 19 (Creation declares. . .) Psalms 9:7-10 (esp. 10b) (God is knowable in our inner being.) Acts 14:8-18 (esp. 15-17) (God is discoverable.) Acts 17:16-34 (esp. 22-23, 27-28) (Humans are by nature religious.) Romans 1:18-23, 25 (God can be known by what Romans 1:24, 26-32; Romans 2:2, 6-16, esp. 14-15 God has created.) (We have an inner God-consciousness and moral compass.) Luke 12:41-48 (God considers our level of moral and spiritual maturity when deciding our culpability.) Gospel Basics Part 2--Page 1 of 1 Copywritten (c) 1997 by Floyd Knight. All Rights Reserved. Gospel Basics Part 2--Page 2 of 7 Copywritten (c) 1997 by Floyd Knight. All Rights Reserved. Gospel Basics Part 2--Page 6 of 7 Copywritten (c) 1997 by Floyd Knight. All Rights Reserved. Gospel Basics Part 2 Handout for Part 3--Page 7 of 7 Copywritten (c) 1997 by Floyd Knight. All Rights Reserved.