1689 Baptist Confession Bible Study (2)
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 15 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
1. God Has Spoken
1. God Has Spoken
It pleased the Lord to reveal Himself at sundry times and in diverse ways.
Preparation: Read Psalm 119
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
How do we know there is a God? How do we know who God is, and what He is like?
Since He is the most powerful being in existence and the creator of all things, the most important knowledge we could ever pursue is to know God, who He is, what He is like and what He wants from us. But how could we hope to gain this knowledge about God?
If all we had were theories about the origin of the universe and life itself, and a broad range of possibilities about a God springing from the imaginations of men and women, we would never really know the truth about God or about anything else. Everyone would have to form opinions based on what seems most right to them. Can you imagine how wide the range of opinions would be? Nobody would be able to agree on anything.
The good news is that God did not leave us to try to find Him on our own; He has revealed Himself to us. God has spoken. He has communicated with us in various ways at different times to reveal that He is, who He is, and what His will is for us.
The most important thing for us to do, then, is to know what God has revealed. When we know what God has revealed, then we know the truth - truth about Him, truth about the world He created and truth about ourselves. Without this knowledge of the truth, we would be feeling our way in the dark and being deceived.
1. Do you think there is a way we could know God without Him first revealing Himself to us?
Not truly, no. If God did not reveal Himself to us, we would have to trust our own opinions or imaginations. We might come up with ideas about God and who He might be, but we could never know for sure unless God revealed Himself and His attributes to us.
In what ways has God revealed Himself to us?
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.
1.1 Through Nature (1)
1.1 Through Nature (1)
The light of nature and the works of creation and providence manifest the goodness, wisdom and power of God, so as to leave men inexcusable.
God has revealed Himself through nature and all created things. The very existence of the world, nature and life is evidence that there is a Creator who brought all things into existence.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
1.2 Through Prophets (1)
1.2 Through Prophets (1)
Nature, creation and providence are not sufficient to give the knowledge of God and His will which is necessary for Salvation; therefore, it pleased God to declare His will unto His Church.
19 That your trust may be in the Lord,
I have made them known to you today, even to you.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings
of counsel and knowledge,
21 to make you know what is right and true,
that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1.3 Through the Scriptures (1,2,3)
1.3 Through the Scriptures (1,2,3)
For the preservation and propagation of the truth, and for the establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, it pleased God to commit the declaration of His will into writing, making the Scriptures most necessary.
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.
1.4 Infallibility of Scripture (1)
1.4 Infallibility of Scripture (1)
The Holy Scripture is the only certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
1.5 Sufficiency of Scripture (1)
1.5 Sufficiency of Scripture (1)
The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience, and the former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people have now ceased.
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”
20 To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
1.6 Authority of Scripture (4,10)
1.6 Authority of Scripture (4,10)
The authority of the Holy Scripture does not depend on the testimony of any man or church, but entirely on God, who is truth itself and the author of Scripture. The Scriptures, therefore, will be the supreme judge of all matters of religion and doctrine.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.
29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
1.7 Clarity of Scripture (7)
1.7 Clarity of Scripture (7)
Not all things in Scripture are equally plain and clear to all, but all things in Scripture which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation are clearly propounded so that both the learned and unlearned, in due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
1.8 Authenticity & Language of Scripture (8)
1.8 Authenticity & Language of Scripture (8)
The Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek, being immediately inspired by God, have been kept pure in all ages by the singular care and providence of God. Because these languages are not known to all God’s people, they are to be translated into every language so that people of all nations may worship God in an acceptable manner and have hope in the comfort of the Scriptures.
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1.9 Interpretation of Scripture (9)
1.9 Interpretation of Scripture (9)
The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; therefore when there is a question about the true and full meaning of any Scripture, it must be searched by other Scriptures that speak more clearly.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “ ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1.10 Witness of the Holy Spirit (5,6)
1.10 Witness of the Holy Spirit (5,6)
Our full persuasion and assurance of the divine authority and infallible truth of the Scriptures is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.
Through the heavenliness of the content, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the agreement of all parts, the scope which is to give all glory to God, the discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, and many other excellencies and perfections, the Scriptures give abundant evidence by itself that it is the Word of God.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—
9 But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
40 But all things should be done decently and in order.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.