Green Pastures

Why this study? Why the means of grace? That we might be more convinced of what we’re devoted to here as an RB congregation. One of the reasons we recommend one come worship here and not down the street is that we are devoted to the means of grace. We believe God works through ordinary means in an extraordinary way. It’s also less heavy than what we’ve been lifting lately. In weight lifting in order to make gains, you don’t always lift heavy. You often very between low weight high rep, and high weight low repetition to see the best results, to make the most gains. In weightlifting terms we are de loading. We’ve been doing some heavy lifting. Our theological muscles are fatigued, and so we’re toning it down a bit, with material I trust will be no less edifying.

Intro

Chapter 1

Shepherds is context. There duty to provide the poeple with everything good for their souls. Every good opportunity. If it is not there, and you have grounds to believe something is being held back, you are free to address it and make respectful pleas(at least to Ed and Paul) to the elders here in regard to that.

Definition on Page 16

Comments?

What are the three truths he states here in this chapter

God promisese to strengthen what he wrought in you. Top of 17 2 LCF. Faith a grace. [p 18. Is God not good enough]

Comments?

He uses means (p 18 Not RC) The thing doesn’t work if not worked in faith ( clarifying der on p 20) (what are not ordinary means of grace?) The MOG are things we expect blessing in.

COmments?

He uses specified means

Note covenant people. Why is that important? NC.

So now, brethren,

I commend you to God

and to the word of His grace,

which is able to build you up

What is able to build them up? The word of his grace.

Not just the initial grace that saved you, but every subsequent stage of your growth and perseverance.

This text truly is one of those precious promises.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 20

Observe how salvation—not only in its initial stages of pardon and regeneration, but in all its subsequent stages of “up-building,” even to its consummation in the final inheritance—

and give you an inheritance

among all those who are sanctified.”

Application.

Seeking God’s blessing elswhere will not lead to Chrtistian growth, can lead to backsliding.

I know a dear and godly man who lives near where we lived in DL and he is a member of an EFree church, and he and his family are starving spiritually. Word is opened once a week, Lords Supper maybe quarterly. No corporate prayer.