Why Practical Theology?

INTRODUCTION

James 1:22-25 “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.”

(Pray)…

Soldier being trained for battle… Learns but does not apply… hurts self and others… Shooting range, wilderness, and helicopter...

Explanation: We do the same thing with God’s Word… hurt ourselves and others...

Need:

You and I tend to not take the things of God as seriously as we ought. We can read it and not even retain it. Other times we can read it and store up the truths in our head, but not apply them to our hearts. This is to say that we need to put into action the truths we learn. Today we see that James calls us to practice what we preach. He wants us to get practical. If we change the way we approach God’s Word, then we will be prepared for life unlike the soldier who never put into action the lessons he learned.

HP:

We need to change the way we approach God’s Word.

If you are taking notes…

Title: Why Practical Theology?

This morning we are introducing our newest JH Series, Practical Theology.

Answering 4 Questions –

1. What is Systematic Theology?

2. Who should Study Systematic Theology?

3. Why should you study Systematic Theology & How can Systematic Theology change your life?

4. How should you approach our Practical Theology Series moving forward?

BODY

1) What is Systematic Theology?

Scripture:

It is important to remember that our primary goal should always be to learn more, so that we can apply more, so that we can grow more. In seeking to do that I believe it is important to understand how we can break up the truths of The Bible and in breaking them up we can learn more efficiently. To accomplish this, I believe it would serve us well to define Systematic Theology and the many facets it has.

What Is Systematic Theology?

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY Is the study of the faith of Christianity through God’s divine revelation found in The Bible.

For the next 7 weeks, we will be studying some big topics found in Systematic Theology so that you can know God more.

We are going to look at…

Theology Proper (Study of God The Father)

Christology (The Study of Christ)

Pneumatology (Study of The Holy Spirit)

Anthropology (The Study of Man)

Hamartiology (The Study of Sin)

Soteriology (The Study of Salvation)

Ecclesiology (The Study of The Church)

Eschatology (The Study of The End Times) These all are used to divide the passages we have in Scripture and in using them, we can build an organized biblical worldview. This is important because our worldview is what guides us in living a god-honoring life.

What does the word Worldview Mean?

WORLDVIEW Our worldview is how we perceive all the things that happen in life.

The reason we need to do a practical theology series is because with understanding what the Bible teaches we can base our worldview on what God has to say not on what we think. As Christians we need to make sure we are basing our worldview solely on the truths of the Bible.

Statistic:

The worlds worldview is based upon what they decide… No absolute truth!

Story:

When I was 14 years old, legalizing same sex marriage...

Applying to our day and age...

Show Me:

How can you live out knowing what theology is? In order to know what Systematic Theology is describing you need to be in the Word.

You need to make it a priority in your life to wake up and spend time in God’s Word so that when the world tries to teach you what they think to be true (in reality a lot of lies) you will see them for being just that… lies… false teaching.

How can you know the truths you are to live if you do not have a deep relationship with the one who created you teaching them to you? Studying systematic theology and then applying its truths deepens that relationship!

2) Who should Study Systematic Theology?

Scripture:

This answer seems simple, but it is the reason we are going through this series. The Christian ought to study Systematic Theology. Those who have been saved and transformed and are continuing to be transformed are to devote themselves to theology. You may be thinking, “I knew that, that is pretty obvious!” But my challenge to you would be… Do you study it? If you know you should study it, but you do not, then you are not practicing what you preach which is why James calls us to prove [ourselves] doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. We need to commit to studying theology. We find many examples in Scripture of Godly men and women understanding and committing themselves to theology.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

You, however, CONTINUEin the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Psalm 1:1-3

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you,

How can you continue in the things you have learned, delighting in God’s Word as you meditate in it, and hold fast to what is being preached or taught to you if you are not studying it? The simple answer is… YOU CAN’T! If this is your desire, then I would encourage you to get extra resources to help you grow in your studying like Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology book he designed for teens.

Statistic:

Did you know that a study was reported in 2020 that revealed that 45.6 that is around 156 million people out of the 329.5 million people in the US claim to be Christians? But sadly, another report came out in that same year showing that only 11 percent of the US population claim to read their Bible on a daily basis. That means that out of 329.5 million people, around 156 million of them claim to be Christians, yet only 32,702,702 claim to read their Bible on a daily basis.

I tell you this because it shows the need for God’s Word to be understood. Look at where our world is today. We are marked by the immense need of knowing the creator of the universe. There are so many questions the world wants answered and the Bible has the answers. The need is to actually pick it up, read it, and apply it!

Story: When I was a freshman in High School, so just a few years older than you, I read a book entitled, Everyone’s A Theologian – R.C. Sproul. This book changed my view of theology forever. Theology is not just for pastors and professors at graduate schools. NO! R.C. explained that theology is for the stay-at-home mom of three, for the 9-5 accountant, and even, yes even for you the Jr. Higher still trying to get a grasp on life.

Maybe for the first time ever you are realizing that theology is for you. This is not just about the pastor, the evangelist, and the person going to school studying this. This is for you too!

Show Me:

One way you can live out the understanding that you should study Systematic Theology is by studying it more. Make it a priority to read an extra resource on theology. It can be many different books, but it could be one of the two I mentioned. Everyone’s A Theologian – R.C. Sproul which is not a hard read but is on the thicker side, or Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology book that he designed for teens.

Whatever you decide to pursue, I encourage you to at least pursue. Make time for studying more systematic theology in your life! This is important because this is for you. You need to know theology because you need a close relationship with God!

3) Why should you study Systematic Theology & How can Systematic Theology change your life?

Scripture: Read with me again James 1:22… 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. Here our passage answers this question… It is so that we live differently! Understanding what systematic theology is helps very little but understanding it and applying it to our lives so we live differently, that helps immensely. If you come before God’s Word and you read it but go on living against its teachings, then it is as if you never read it. In fact, it results in the time you spent reading being worthless. You wasted your time! The whole point of reading God’s Word is so that we can be changed even more. But if we do not put into action any type of change then we go against the purpose of studying God’s Word, of studying theology!

This is why we are doing a Practical Theology Series. We need to make sure we know why we are learning the truths of the Bible and then live out that reason. If we do not do this then we will do as James tells us in our passage this morning… We will deceive ourselves! Telling ourselves we are learning while at the same time make all sorts of wring decisions and living contrary to what the Bible teaches us. Paul goes on to tell us in this passage that the person who hears the word and does not apply it “is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” You wouldn’t look in the mirror to get ready for a special event and see you have some chocolate on your mouth from the night before, pizza sauce on your chin, and bed head and walk away forgetting all about it as you go to your event. NO! Instead, you would clean take of all of that dirtiness, you would fix your hair and be ready for the event. This is how James wants us to live. He does not want us to forget what the Bible points out in our lives, he wants us to change how we live based upon what we learn!

James says that the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

It is through theology that we seek to learn more about who God is through His Word and in so doing learn more about how we are to live our lives. This is so important because as Christians we need to constantly be seeking to grow in our knowledge of who God is so that we grow in our Sanctification.

SANCTIFICATION à Is the process of being transformed more into the likeness of Christ! It is by understanding the different kinds of theology that we are helped in the sanctification process, and it is through The Holy Spirit that we are revealed these truths and then sanctified through them. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 teaches us that “God has chosen [us] from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” What is the truth? Well, it should really be phrased as “Who is the truth?” Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Jesus is the truth, and we see in the first chapter of the Gospel of John that Jesus is the Word. So, in applying this to 2 Thessalonians 2:13 we see that the truth The Holy Spirit sanctifies us through the Word of God. This means we should devote ourselves to studying, understanding, and applying God’s Word to our lives. We are to understand theology and apply theology so that we can draw closer to God!

Statistic:

As mentioned previously, Systematic Theology helps us form a biblical worldview. Basing everything on what God says, not on what we think. Al Mohler on this topic of a biblical worldview teaches that “A God-centered worldview brings every issue, question, and cultural concern into submission to all that the Bible reveals, and frames all understanding within the ultimate purpose of bringing greater glory to God.” This means the Bible needs to be the reason we believe what we believe. Not out feelings, but the facts of The Bible. This ought to be the purpose of our belief system! We need to view life biblically and bring God Glory in doing so!

Systematic Theology changes your life because it changes the way you live. It does this because as you learn more theology you more informed on how you are to live. Why? Because a meaningful, deep, relationship with God is life changing! It is by using systematic theology that we can make sure we are forming a Bible based, God-centered, world view. If this is not done correctly, then we will fall into error and we will believe something that is false and even worse… most likely teach something that is false. Therefore, systematic theology is so helpful. It gives us categories for the entire Bible and within those categories are many other sub-categories! By doing this we can have an orderly well designed biblical worldview!

So, when you are in school and your science teacher starts teaching about how the world is billions of years old, you can through your understanding of theology know that that is not true. You can stand strong in your faith and know the truth from the lies. Without understanding this, you will not be able to live life as on guard against the deceit of the world. You need to study, know, and apply theology to your life. You need to commit to knowing God more!

Story:

I am so blessed and thankful that part of my job is to spend time studying these truths! On top of that most of my schooling at The Master’s University where I go to college is spent understanding how to apply these truths. For me it is easy to use my time to study these doctrines. But you can make time for it as well. You do have the time; the question is are you willing to share your time for other things to spend time studying this?

Show Me:

Let me show you one way that you can live out changing your life with Systematic Theology… You can do this by making a designated amount of time for it. Some days throw curve balls and you will not be able to get to it. But make a schedule for the days that stay the same. Between Getting ready for your day and getting ready for bed, eating food, spending time with family, spending time with friends, do schoolwork, and for some of you, sports games and practices. With all of this, you need to divide all your times. If after all of that you only 2 hours to yourself, then consider giving yourself 15 mins to spend time in God’s Word, 10 mins to read some type of Theology Book, and 10 mins to read a fun book that you have. Combined that is 35 mins a reading which may be a push for some of you but is a healthy goal to seek to accomplish for ready and that leaves you with 1 hour 25 mins left to do whatever you want. Maybe you want to read more or watch some tv. But in doing that you secure meaningful time for studying, which ultimately is securing meaningful time to know the one true God, the God you worship more!

4) How should you approach our Practical Theology Series moving forward?

View this series as adding tools in our tool belt in helping us to grow in our relationship with The Lord! Jerry Bridges once said, “So often we try to develop Christian character and conduct without taking the time to develop God-centered devotion. We try to please God without taking the time to walk with Him and develop a relationship with Him. This is impossible to do.” How can we have a relationship with God and build devotion to Him if we do not understand the truths He teaches us in His Word? Systematic Theology allows us to understand all the various doctrines we hold to. Doctrine is the authoritative teaching of The Bible and by putting order to it, we can have a well-rounded view of those biblical truths. This view is displayed in a way that allows us to understand the truths we are learning. We are going to find that curtain truths can be harder to understand than others, but it does allow us to understand them in an easier way and in doing so live a life devoted to a relationship with God.

CONCLUSION

This morning we have answered 5 questions…

What is Systematic Theology?

Who should Study Systematic Theology?

Why should they study Systematic Theology?

How can Systematic Theology change your life?

How should you approach our Practical Theology Series moving forward?

It also gives way to explaining why as Christians we live the way we do. The Bible gives us answers regarding how to live. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that God’s “divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence[.]” The Bible displays how we are to live in both our private and personal lives. By systematizing doctrine, we find our core beliefs broken up into a simple list and in doing so, we find how we should act in the home, in the church, and in the world itself in light of the teaching found in each category. This makes it easier for us to pursue righteousness.

Understanding biblical doctrine also allows us to defend the faith we have. False teaching is everywhere. It is not hard to find something being taught that contradicts the Bible! Considering this, we ought to study out what we believe so that we can make a defense for our faith. 1 Peter 3:15 calls us to be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect[.]” In order to obey this, we must understand what it is we believe, and by using Systematic Theology, we have help to do so. Know the truths God has provided you with and ultimately know Him better!

Finally, by using Systematic Theology to break up the truths of the Bible, we can use the categories to have a biblical view on what is right and wrong. There is so much evil in this world and by study Hamartiology (the study of sin) we can see what things go against God and His Word.

There are so many other ways that we can apply systematic theology to our lives, but these are just a few to get our minds and hearts ready for the series that we are starting.

As you sit in your seat over the next few weeks and you listen to what we are teaching you, ask yourself these three questions…

· How does this apply to me? ______________________________________________________________________________________________

· How can this change me? ________________________________________________________________________________________________

· How can I live this out in my life? __________________________________________________________________________________________

Ultimately, this will result in you answering the most important question… How can I know God more?

Devote yourselves to the study of theology and do not deceive yourselves. Live out the truths you learn. Start knowing God more today!

(Pray)