Have a great Thanksgiving with your friends and family!

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

Posted in Youth Phil Anady
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Doctrinal Standard #40 & 41 (1 of 4 weeks)

• Q. What rules did God first reveal for man to obey?
• A. The rules He first revealed were the moral law.
• Q. Where is the moral law summarized?
• A. The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments.

Memory Verses

• “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:17–18, ESV).

Scripture

• Study Passage: Matthew 5:17-20
• Support Passages: Psalms 1, 19, 25:8-15, 119; Deuteronomy 6:4-9,11:18-32, 30:11-20
• Bible Story: Matthew 10:17-31

Thoughts

• Chapter 19.5-19.7 of the Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 with notes from Peter Masters provides a good description on of how the moral law is an important part of the Christian life.
• “5. The moral law ever binds to obedience everyone, justified people as well as others, and not only out of regard for the matter contained in it, but also out of respect for the authority of God the Creator, Who gave the law. Nor does Christ in the Gospel dissolve this law in any way, but [on the contrary] He considerably strengthens our obligation to obey it.
• 6. Although true believers are not under the law as a covenant of works, to be justified or condemned by it, yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, because as a rule of life it informs them of the will of God and their duty and directs and binds them to walk accordingly.

  It also reveals and exposes the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts and lives, and using it for self-examination they may come to greater conviction of sin, greater humility and greater hatred of their sin. They will also gain a clearer sight of their need of Christ and the perfection of His own obedience [to the law on their behalf].

  It is of further use to regenerate people [in self-examination] to restrain their corruptions [sinful tendencies], because of the way in which it forbids sin. The threatening of the law serve to show what their sins actually deserve, and what troubles may be expected in this life because of these sins even by regenerate people who are freed from the curse and undiminished rigours of the law.

  The promises connected with the law also show believers God’s ­approval of obedience, and what blessings they may expect when the law is kept and obeyed, though blessing will not come to them ­because they have satisfied the law as a covenant of works. [To do this would of course require perfect obedience to every part all the time.] If a man does good and refrains from evil simply because the law encourages to the good and deters him from the evil, that is no evidence that he is under the law rather than under grace.

• 7. The aforementioned uses of the law are not contrary to the grace of the Gospel [the Gospel of undeserved mercy and favour], but they sweetly comply with it, as the Spirit of Christ subdues and enables the will of man to do freely and cheerfully those things which the will of God, which is revealed in the law, requires to be done.” [1]

Discussion Questions

• What is a moral?
• Who decides what is moral? Why
• Name each of the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5 and Exodus 20).
• Why are these considered to be moral laws?
• Can you be accepted before God by keep these commands perfectly? Explain
• How is someone accepted before God?
• How do these laws play an important part in the life of a Christian? (see “Thoughts” section).

Tags: Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, Moral Law, Peter Masters, Ten Commandments, The Baptist Confession of Faith 1689 – Notes by Peter Masters

Posted in Devotional Thoughts Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 Moral Law Peter Masters Ten Commandments The Baptist Confession of Faith 1689 – Notes by Peter Masters Family Devotional Guidelines Phil Anady Matthew 10 Matthew 5
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I usually post what we are going to be talking about at Youth a couple days prior to our meeting. Last week I was unable to do so but I wanted to share what we discussed.

Last Thursday, we spent the entire time discussing the Gospel Community Group questions. While we briefly discuss these questions week to week last Thursday we took the entire time and were truly blessed by what was talked about.

Here are the questions we discussed:
1. What characteristics have you learned about Peter in studying the first part of his second letter? How can you relate to Peter?
2. Do you fear death? Why? What does Peter tell us in his second letter to give us hope and freedom from fear of death?
3. Are you putting too much hope and focus on this current life or are you focused on the spiritual and eternal? Share.
4. Is your devotion to Christ where you want it to be? Why or why not. Share.
5. What can we do as individuals and as a church to ensure we are preserving the truth of God’s word? Gives examples. Share.

Keep up the great work parents and students!

-Phil

Tags: Gospel Community Groups

Posted in Youth Gospel Community Groups Phil Anady
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Doctrinal Standard #39

• Q. What does God require of man?
• A. God requires man to obey His revealed will.

Memory Verses

• “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. ²³ For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22b–23a, ESV).

Scripture

• Study Passage: Luke 11:27-28
• Support Passages: John 3:36, 14:15, I John 2:3-4, Acts 5:29, Romans 13:1-7, II Thessalonians 1:6-10, Hebrews 13:17
• Bible Story: I Samuel 15

Thoughts

• When teaching our child about the importance of obeying God’s Law we must be careful not error in teaching moralism instead of biblical Christianity. To understand the difference between the two we must understand the difference between the Law and Gospel and how they relate to one another in the life of an individual.
• There are three uses of the Law of God: the civil, pedagogical, and normative use. We will briefly discuss the pedagogical and normative use to better understanding how it plays a part in the life of a believer.
• The catechism states that God requires man to obey his will (law) but what we also understand is that scripture teaches that all mankind is unable to keep the commands of the Lord.  Therefore God’s Law has a “pedagogical use (usus elenchticus sive paedagogicus), it shows people their sin and points them to mercy and grace outside of themselves” (Lems). While God’s law revels his will and standards for mankind it also brings individuals to the realization that they are in need of the gospel. What man is unable to do according to the Law, Christ did in their place by living a perfect life to the Law and paying the ransom for their sins by dying on the cross. God’s Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ works together in the life of an individual to bring about saving faith.
• Many people have a limited view of the Law of God and believe that it’s only purpose is to point people to Christ and then should be left alone. This couldn’t be further from the truth. God’s law is perfect and holy. God’s Law has a “normative use (usus didacticus sive normativus). Which means this use of the law is for those who trust in Christ and have been saved through faith apart from works” (Lems) [1]. The law cannot save people because people are unable to keep it. But God’s law does direct the behaviors of those who are part of the family of God. The law is what helps guide believers in becoming holy as God is holy. The commands of the Lord are an essential part in the sanctification process of a believer.
• The distinction between moralism and biblical Christianity is rather simple but can often be overlooked if not careful. Moralism teaches that man ought to live a life of good moral character by continually doing what is right. While there is nothing wrong with this statement in itself, the serious error of moralism that it never presents the gospel message. Moralism never addresses the problem that man can never be good enough to be accepted by God. Moralism is a self righteous religion found in many of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day.
• For a relevant case study on moralism in Christianity refer to a blog post on our website titled Veggie Tales and Moralism.

Discussion Questions

• What does God require of man?
• What is the problem with God requiring man to keep his commands?
• Do you think God knew about this problem before he commanded people to keep his laws? Explain.
• If God knew that man would not be able to keep his commands why did he give them?
• How did God fix man’s problem in keeping his laws?
• Are Christians still commanded to keep God’s law? Explain

Tags: Catechism, Moralism, Westminster Shorter Catechism

Posted in Devotional Thoughts Catechism Moralism Westminster Shorter Catechism Family Devotional Guidelines Phil Anady I Samuel 15 Luke 11
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Over the next couple of weeks we will be discussing the character of God. We will be examining our Lords incommunicable and communicable attributes. Wayne Grudem defines the incommunicable attribute of God as “those attributes that God does not share or ‘communicate’ to others” (pg. 156). [1] While mankind was made in the likeness of God, no man contains the incommunicable attributes of God. Examples of these attributes would be his all knowing (omniscience), all present (omnipresent), all powerful (omnipotent), eternality, unity, etc.

Also, I would encourage you to look at the Gospel Community Group (GCG) Questions for the sermon 11/4/12 as we will briefly be discussing these.

I’m looking forward to the deep and meaningful discussion.

Tags: Communicable Attributes, Incommunicable Attributes, Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem

Posted in Youth Communicable Attributes Incommunicable Attributes Systematic Theology Wayne Grudem Phil Anady
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Doctrinal Standard #38 (2 of 2 weeks)

• Q. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
• A. At the resurrection, believers, raised in glory, will be publicly recognized and declared not guilty on the day of judgment and will be made completely happy in the full enjoyment of God forever.

Memory Verses

• ^“And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5, ESV).

Scripture

• Study Passage: Revelation 21,22
• Support Passages: II Peter 3:10-13, I John 3:2, II Corinthians 12:2-4, Isaiah 65:17, 66:22
• Bible Story: Revelation 21

Thoughts

• Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology (Pg. 1163-1164) states that, “scripture consistently portrays this new creation (heaven) as a place of great beauty and joy. In the description of heaven in Revelation 21 and 22, this theme is repeatedly affirmed. It is a ‘holy city’ (21:2), a place ‘prepared as a bride adorned for her husband’ (21:2). In that place ‘death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more’ (21:4). There we can drink ‘from the fountain of the water of life without payment’ (21:6). It is a city that has ‘the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal’ (21:11). It is a city of immense sixe, whether the measurements be understood as literal or symbolic. Its length measures ’12,000 stadia’ (21:16), or about 1,400 miles (2,250 kilometers), and ‘its length and breadth and height are equal’ (21:6). Parts or the city are constructed of immense precious jewels of various colors (21:18-21). It will be free from all evil, for ‘nothing unclean shall enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life’ (21:27). In that city we shall also have positions of rule over God’s entire creation, for ‘they shall reign forever and ever’ (22:5).”
• “But more important than all the physical beauty of the heavenly city, more important than the fellowship we will enjoy eternally with all God’s people from all nations and all periods in history, more important than our freedom from pain and sorrow and physical suffering, and more important than reigning over God’s kingdom – more important by far than any of these will be the fact that we will be in the presence of God and enjoying unhindered fellowship with him. ‘Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes (21:3-4).”
• “When we finally see the Lord face to face, our hearts will want nothing else. ‘Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides you…. God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever’ (Ps. 73:25-26). Then with joy our hearts and voices will join with the redeemed from all ages and with the mighty armies of heaven singing, ‘Holy holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’ (Rev. 4:8).” [1]

Discussion Questions

• How would you describe what heaven will be like?
• How does scripture describe heaven? (Revelation 21,22).
• Why do you think people in heaven will fully enjoy God forever?
• Do you enjoy God here on earth? Explain
• Would you rather be in heaven or on earth right now? Explain
• Does your answer to the previous question reveal anything about your heart?

Tags: Catechism, Heaven, Resurrection, Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem, Westminster Shorter Catechism

Posted in Devotional Thoughts Catechism Heaven Resurrection Systematic Theology Wayne Grudem Westminster Shorter Catechism Family Devotional Guidelines Phil Anady Revelation 21 Revelation 22
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On Thursday nights, we have been using Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology to guide our study focus. We have finished our study in the area of the doctrine of the Word of God (part 1) and have begun to study the Doctrine of God (part two). The last two weeks we have discussed the existence of God by examining the cosomological and moral argument.  The cosomological argument states that “every known thing in the universe has a cause. Therefore, it reasons, the universe itself must also have a cause, and the cause of such a great universe can only be God” (pg. 143).  The moral argument “begins from man’s sense of right and wrong, and of the need for justice to be done, and argues that there must be a God who is the source of right and wrong and who will someday meet out justice to all people” (pg. 143).

This week, we will examine the teleogical argument. “It focuses on the evidence of harmony, order, and design in the universe, and argues that its design gives evidence of an intelligent purpose. Since the universe appears to be designed with a purpose, there must be an intelligent and purposeful God who created it to function this way” (pg. 143). [1]

We will be viewing and discussing the section on irreducible complicities from the documentary, Unlocking the Mystery of Life.  Michael Behe in his book, Darwin’s Black Box, explains irreducible complexities as followed:

“By irreducibly complex I mean a single system composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning. An irreducibly complex system cannot be produced directly (that is, by continuously improving the initial function, which continues to work by the same mechanism) by slight, successive modifications of a precursor system, because any precursor to an irreducibly complex system that is missing a part is by definition nonfunctional. An irreducibly complex biological system, if there is such a thing, would be a powerful challenge to Darwinian evolution.” (p. 39)

While these arguments are edifying for believers and helpful in sharing our faith, we must never forget that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

I’m looking forward to another great night of discussions and fellowship with the youth of Emmaus!

God Bless

-Phil

Tags: Cosomological, Irreducibly Complexity, Moral, Systematic Theology, Teleogical, Wayne Grudem

Posted in Youth Cosomological Irreducibly Complexity Moral Systematic Theology Teleogical Wayne Grudem Phil Anady
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Doctrinal Standard #38 (1 of 2 weeks)

• Q. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
• A. At the resurrection, believers, raised in glory, will be publicly recognized and declared not guilty on the day of judgment and will be made completely happy in the full enjoyment of God forever.

Memory Verses

• Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17, ESV).

Scripture

• Study Passage: I Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
• Support Passages: I Corinthians 15:51, Daniel 12:2-3, Hebrews 9:28, Job 19:26-27
• Bible Story: Matthew 25:31-46

Thoughts  

• Below is an explanation of the resurrection of the dead taken from J. Dwight Pentecost’s book, The Moody Handbook of Theology (pg. 376-377).
• “The return of Christ has an important implication for the believers because it means the hope of bodily resurrection. The resurrection hope is taught in both the Old and New Testaments and is foundational to the Christian faith. David spoke of awaking in God’s presence (Ps. 17:15). Korah expressed the hope that God would rescue him from the power of death and receive him to His presence (Ps. 49:15). Asaph had faith that God would guide him throughout life and when life was over, God would receive him to hope: ‘Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in dust, awake and shout for joy. For your dew is as the dew of the dawn. And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits’ (Isa 26:19). Daniel also clearly describes the future resurrection as all people will be resurrected form the dust of the earth, some to enter into everlasting life, others to judgment and everlasting condemnation (Dan. 12:1-12).“The New Testament provides added revelation concerning the resurrection. In His debate with the Sadducees, Jesus rebuked them for their mistaken notion in denying the resurrection. They neither understood the Scriptures (for the Old Testament taught the resurrection) nor the power of God (for He is able to raise the dead) (Matt. 22:29; cf. Mark 12:24-27; Luke 20:34-38). In John 5:28-29 Jesus spoke words reminiscent of Daniel 12:2 when He explained that the dead would hear the voices of Christ and come forth, some to a resurrection life, others to a resurrection judgment (John 5:28-29). Christ also promised eternal life to those believing in Him; they had the assurance that He would raise them from the dead (John 6:39-40, 44, 54). At the raising of Lazarus Jesus declared, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die’ (John 11:25-26).”

  In his detailed defense and explanation of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul cites the resurrection as foundational to the Christian faith. If the resurrection is not true then Christ has not been resurrected, faith is useless, and the sin problem remains unsolved (1 Cor. 15:17). The resurrection is also explained in connection with the return of Christ (1 Thess. 4:16).” [1]

Discussion Questions

• What is a resurrection?
• Explain Jesus resurrection?
• How will man’s resurrection be similar to Jesus’ resurrection?
• Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ so important to the Christian faith?
• Will unbelievers be resurrected as well? Explain
• How does the future resurrection of your body make you feel?

Tags: Paul Enns, Resurrection, The Moody Handbook of Theology, Westminster Shorter Catechism

Posted in Devotional Thoughts Paul Enns Resurrection The Moody Handbook of Theology Westminster Shorter Catechism Family Devotional Guidelines Phil Anady 1 Thessalonians 4 Matthew 25
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