Presbytopia Session 3

Christopher Manfreda

Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

0 ratings

· 10 views

Notes

Transcript

OPEN IN PRAYER

CHRIST - What God has Done.

Q1 What is the Covenant of Grace?

g.35 The covenant of Grace is God’s promise of Salvation for those who place their faith in the covenant mediator.

Jesus is called the mediator between God and man in 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

And the Guarantor of the Better Covenant in Hebrews 7:22 “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.”

Ken points out that Jesus isn't simply reconciling two hostile parties.

Rather Jesus is the reconciler who takes responsibility for the covenant,

And Jesus Does this by the giving of his life on the cross.

What was required of its guarantor?

There were three things required of the guarantor.

First Christ who already existed as God needed to take on human nature becoming the God Man.

And what is another word for becoming the God Man?

It is Incarnation which is described in detail in Question 21 and 22 of the WSC

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 21

Question 21

Who is the Redeemer of God’ s elect?

The only Redeemer of God’ s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Tim. 2:5–6) who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, (John 1:14, Gal. 4:4) and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, for ever. (Rom. 9:5, Luke 1:35, Col. 2:9, Heb. 7:24–25)

Question 22

How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, (Heb. 2:14,16, Heb. 10:5) and a reasonable soul, (Matt. 26:38) being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, (Luke 1:27,31,35,42, Gal. 4:4) yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15, Heb. 7:26)

So God had to take on flesh, a Soul, and the Holy Spirit impregnated the Virgin Mary

So Christ was the first man to be born without sin.

2. Second, Christ needed to keep the law perfectly for the sake of his people?

He is deemed the second Adam.

We see this taught in Hebrews 4:15 and 7:26

Can someone read

Heb 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Heb 7:26 “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.”

Third, Christ needed to offer His own life for sins of His people.

We see this taught in WSC Question 25

In doing this he served as the substitutionary sacrifice

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 25

Question 25

How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, (Heb. 9:14,28) and reconcile us to God; (Heb. 2:17) and in making continual intercession for us. (Heb. 7:24–25)

We also see it taught in the book of Hebrew

Lets look up some verses in the book of Hebrews that teach how he offered his own life for his people

Heb 7:24-25 “but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

Heb 2:17 “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

Heb 9:14 “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

Heb 9:28 “so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

The next part of question one is

Where did the Covenant of Grace originate?

It originated in Gen 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.””

This verse is called the Proto-evangel

Becasue its the FIRST - proto

TIME THE GOSPEL (Evangel)

Was pronounced before the coming of Christ.

The serpent the devil’s head would be crushed in a complete defeat.

Christ our Savior’s heel would be bruised through the suffering death.

How did Adam respond to the Proto Evangel?

Gen 3:20 “The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.”

Adam and Eve showed they were spiritually alive and inheritors to the promise

And how did God respond to Adam and Eve?

We see this is Gen 3:21

Gen 3:21 “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.”

Ken points out 3 things that God shows us in this verse

First, That sin must be covered for man to have a relationship with God.

Second, that grace, replaces man’s inadequate covering (the fig leaves) with a covering of his choosing.

Third, it demonstrates that God’s superior covering is Costly,

Something had to die for man to be reconciled with God. This involved a sacrifice a payment for sin.

Q2 What is the Incarnation?

WSC #22 Answers this. Can someone read WSC #22

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 22

Question 22

How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

John 1.1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Luke 1:35 “And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

Luke 2:7 “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”

Matt 4:2 “And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”

John 19:28 “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.””

John 11:35 “Jesus wept.”

John 4:6 “Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.”

Heb 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Why is it necessary for salvation?

The divine and Human Natures of the person of Jesus are necessary for Salvation because they overcome two challenges.

The FIRST: challenge concerns God’s infinite nature.

If man sins against and infinite God then he cannot make payment due to his limitations.

Ken points out that the Psalmists recognized this limitation in

Psalm 49:7-9 “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”

The Second thing is he had to not only be God.

He had to be fully Human so that he could represent his people before the Father.

Jesus’s Sacrifice needed to be both infinite and representative.

Next in Question 3 we read

Q3 How did Christ fill the role of being the second Adam?

Jesus needed to accomplish what His people were incapable of accomplishing. He needed to keep the law in their place.

He needed to come as a second Adam, the federal or representative head, of the human race.

We see this taught in Romans 5:19

Rom 5:19 “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”

So perfect obedience to the Law of God.

The First Adam had to keep the law to earn eternal life for himself and his decedents

compared to the Second Adam Christ who kept the covenant of Works so that his people would inherit eternal Life

The First Adam chose the Word of the Serpent over the Word of God in a non weakened physical state.

The Second Adam Christ used the Word of God to rebuke the devil in a weakened physical state.

Lets read Luke 4:1-13 which demonstrates this

Luke 4:1-13 “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’ ” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ” And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you…”

And was this the only time Jesus was tempted?

Christ was tempted throughout his ministry and before his cross work.

Let’s Read Luke 22:42 “saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””

The First Adam chose the will of Satan.

The Second Adam Christ chose the will and the Word of God over Satans lies.

So Why is this finished work of the Second Adam necessary for salvation?

Only through Christ finished work can we be considered righteous.

Thats the teaching of Romans 5:19 “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”

We are made righteous only by the Work of Christ.

Next in Question 4 ken asks us to look at the role of Sacrifices throughout the Bible.

Q4 says

Q4 Explain the role of sacrifices in the Old Testament.

Lets read Exodus 12:1-13

Exodus 12:1-13 “The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they sha…”

Ken points out that the sacrifices are institutionalized in the Book of Leviticus.

And all these sacrifices were to point to the need for sacrifice for sins

And to point to the eventual finished work of Christ.

Next Ken asks the question

How was Christ the ultimate substitutionary sacrifice?

Lets Read Hebrews 10:5-7

Hebrews 10:5-7 “Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ””

So animal sacrifices that were continually offered every year were not actually cleansing someones sins were they.

These sacrifices lacked two things infinite Value and True Representational character.

Once the animal died it was dead

It didn't have the infinite value of the God Man.

And an animal is not a man.

An animal doesn't have a true body and a reasonable soul.

And an animal cannot represent the Human race, its not Human

Why is His sacrifice necessary for salvation?

Ken points us to the book of Hebrews chapter 10 on page 40 in the book..

Heb 10:1-4 “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Q5 What did the resurrection accomplish?

Lets look at WSC 25

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 25

Question 25

How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

Christs sacrifice satisfied the divine justice that was due to us for our Sin.

Christ sacrifice reconciled us to God in which Bulls and goats could not do.

Christ is making continual intercession for us.

We see this taught in Romans 4:25

Rom 4:25 “who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

Also in 1 Corinthians

1 Cor 15:55 ““O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?””

1 Cor 15:20-23 “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”

Ken also points out why the ressurection was necessary and without it we are doomed.

He points us to the teachings of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19

And for those that would question the resurrection Paul says in 1 Cor 15:17-19 “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

Without the Resurrection of Christ we are still in our sins.

That is why No other God

No other religion in the world today can save you.

All the other religions in the World focus on what you do to save yourself through your own works and deeds.

And without a perfect infinite mediator who represents the human race they have no saving power.

There truly is only one mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus.

Which brings us to chapter 6

CHAPTER 6 SPIRIT Applying What God Has Done

Q1 Why is Justification called an Act of God’s free Grace?

Lets Read WSC #33 for a good explanation of this.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 33

Question 33

What is justification?

Justification is an act of God’ s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, (Rom. 3:24–25, Rom. 4:6–8) and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, (2 Cor. 5:19,21) only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, (Rom. 5:17–19) and received by faith alone. (Gal. 2:16, Phil. 3:9)

Ken points out that its a one time external action

Not an ongoing, internal process

We see this in Romans 3:24-25

Can someone read

Rom 3:24-25 “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.”

Also Ken points us to Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So when you are Justified its and acts of Gods Grace.

You don’t need to do anything to earn it.

Thats why its Free Grace

It was given to you by God

And its recieved by Faith alone.

Next in question 2 ken asks

Q2 On What basis does justification involve Forgiveness? Explain Imputation

Justification is a removal of Guilt

You were once guilty and Now your not.

As the Judge of all the earth ( pardons our Sins because of Christ righteousness.

2 Cor 5:19-21 “that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”

So imputation is simply Christ is Righteous,

He paid your debt to the Judge God the Father.

And he has given you that righteousness through Imputation

Next in Question 3 Ken asks us to

Q3 Explain how justification involves a declaration of righteousness?

In God’s declaration of our innocence because of Christ its as we kept the whole law perfectly.

We see this in Romans 4:4-5 “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,”

We don’t receive the wages of sin which is death

We get credit for Christs’s obedience.

Lets Read WSC 86

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 86

What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, (Heb. 10:39) whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel. (John 1:12, Isa. 26:3–4, Phil. 3:9, Gal. 2:16)

Lets read some of the proof Scripture supplied with this question out of the catechism

Heb 10:39 “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”

Isaiah 26:3-4 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

Phil 3:9 “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—”

Gal 2:16 “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

Q4 Explain the parts of Saving Faith

Ken points out that receiving Jesus means embracing what the Bible says about him.

The Bible says in John 1:12

John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”

When we receive Jesus we become part of God’s Family.

Ken points out that recieving is an intellectual and even and emotional activity. But resting is Volitional

Volition involves an act of the will.

It a state of confidence

He states pure and simple resting is trusting

And the author of Hebrews state

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

He points us to this state of Volition with the Roman Centurion

Would Someone read Matt 8:8-10

In Matt 8:8-10 “But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.”

So the Centurion displayed this volition and then Paul drives this idea home in Galatians which leads us to answer Question 5

Q5 What is the relationship between Faith and Works

And lets read Galatians 2:16 “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

And anyone who tells you that Works are required to Save you is lying to you.

The Roman Catholic Church

The Church of Christ

The Mormons

The Jehovah Witness’s

They are all lying to you and those around you.

Ken points to Pauls teaching on this in Galatians 1:6-9

Can someone read this verse

Gal 1:6-9 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 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. 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.”

Ken also points out that Works are important they provide the EVIDENCE OF FAITH

EVIDENCE points to something and is proof that something HAPPENed in the believer

NOT THE CAUSE OF HIS Faith

Q6 Why do Paul and James have Different things to say about Justification?

James 2:15-17 “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Ken points out that James was concerned with intellectual Faith that doesn’t translate to action.

So Paul and James are not at Odds but were talking about Faith in God from two different angles.

Paul was combating those who wanted to include works as a condition of Salvation.

James was reacting against those who said they had Faith, But had nothing to show for it.

Related Media

Related Sermons