Turning to GodDoctrine 2 Unit 8

Last time?

4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake... 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, 9-10

Salvation is of God, no response necessary

Salvation is of us, God can only plead and hope we respond...

Two Dangers to avoid…

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure…

The salvation God has effected from beginning to end can and must impact our whole lives, even our wills (that which we are responsible to do)

– Pg 132, Textbook

Philippians 2:12-13

Basic response to…◦ Mark 1:15, Luke 5:32, Acts 2:38

The OT background◦ Deut 4:30, 30:2, 2 Kings 17:13?

A gift…◦ Ezekiel 36:22-32 (cf. 11:17-20)

The CALL to Repentance

The New Testament word for repentance means changing one’s mind so that one’s views, values, goals, and ways are changed and one’s whole life is lived differently. The change is radical, both inwardly and outwardly; mind and judgment, will and affections, behaviour and life-style, motives and purposes, are all involved. Repenting means starting to live a new life.

Packer - Concise Theology

The Gospel & Repentance

Not dissimilar to before in the Old Testament:

- Matthew 3:8- Acts 5:31- Matt 11:20-24- Luke 15:7

The Gospel & Repentance

The Gospel & Repentance

Repentance distorted if we lose the truth that:

- God is Just?

- God is Merciful?

Are you aware of any popular substitutes today for the call to repentance we’ve seen so far?

Some questions to ponder…

Repentance is an on going experience…◦ Colossians 3:5-10

The Gospel & Repentance

Break Time!

Knowledge of the facts…◦ Luke 4:16-21◦ John 5:31-40

1 Corinthians 15:17

Assent or agreeing with the facts…◦ But James 2:19

Trust, a personal commitment◦ John 6:35, Gal 2:16, Phil 3:9

You’ve gotta have Faith..!

This approval of the facts of the gospel will also involve a desire to be saved through Christ. But all this does not still add up to true saving faith. That comes only when I make a decision of my will to depend on, or put my trust in, Christ as my Saviour. This personal decision to place my trust in Christ is something done with my heart, the central faculty of my entire being that makes commitments for me as a whole person.

Wayne Grudem

Faith

Faith by itself is empty & weak…

Biblical faith finds it’s object in…◦ Gen 15:6 (cf. Heb 11:11,17-19)

◦ Hebrews 1:1-3, John 14:1

Faith has absolutely no value in itself; its value lies solely in its object. Faith is the eye that looks to Christ, the hand that lays hold of him, the mouth that drinks the water of life.

John Stott, Your Mind Matters!

I wish I had your faith?!?

Ephesians 2:8-9

1 Corinthians 2:14

Faith is a gift…

Faith is the conviction that, whatever happens around us, the face of our heavenly Father is turned toward us in love…

Hebrews 6:11-18

Faith and Assurance

Our Confidence Is NOT presumption, a false hope...

Is NOT boasting in who we are/what we've done

BUT relies on God and what HE has done

There is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus

Romans 8:1

I frankly allow there are some presumptuous persons who profess to feel a confidence for which they have no Scriptural warrant. There always are some people who think well of themselves when God thinks ill, just as there are some who think ill of themselves when God thinks well. There always will be such. There never yet was a Scriptural truth without abuses and counterfeits. ...[But Paul], who would cry, “O wretched man that I am!” (Rom 7:24), had a clear view of the fountain of evil within his heart. But then he had a still clearer view of that other Fountain which can remove all sin and uncleanness. He, who thought himself “less than the least of all saints” (Eph 3:8), had a lively and abiding feeling of his own weakness. But he had a still livelier feeling that Christ’s promise, “My sheep shall never perish” (John 10:28), could not be broken. Paul knew, if ever man did, that he was a poor, frail bark, floating on a stormy ocean. He saw, if any did, the rolling waves and roaring tempest by which he was surrounded. But then he looked away from self to Jesus, and was not afraid. He remembered that anchor within the veil, which is both sure and steadfast;—he remembered the word, and work, and constant intercession of Him that loved him and gave Himself for him. And this it was, and nothing else, that enabled him to say so boldly, “A crown is laid up for me, and the Lord shall give it to me”; and to conclude so surely, “The Lord will preserve me: I shall never be confounded.

J C Ryle, Faith and Assurance

Faith and Assurance

Read Unit 8 Notes

Read NBD Article: Faith and Repentance

Mini Essay:

Make an argument from scripture for saving faith

being more than just knowledge and assent…

Home Assignment