AUTHORS » Phil Anady

Mar 12
26

This Weeks Youth Focus – 3/29

This Thursday, we are going to examine how Jesus Christ, through His death, is our Passover Lamb. The Passover is one of “seven holidays” discussed throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament. However, only in one place, the twenty-third chapter of Leviticus, are all seven holidays listed in chronological sequence. These seven holidays are called ‘the feast of the Lord.’ That expression indicates that these holidays are God’s holidays – They belong to Him – in contrast to man’s holidays. They are quite literally, ‘the feasts of the Lord’ (Lev 23:4). And only on His terms and at His invitation can men participate in them and enter into their benefits.” God has given His people (initially the Jews but now it includes those of faith) these feasts and celebrations so that we can learn and be reminded of the great things God has done and is doing. The feasts of the Lord require active participants and worship through the use of our sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing. Our Lord understands that we learn and remember more when we use all of our senses in worshiping Him.

The seven feasts of the Lord consist of the Passover, the Feast of Unleaven Bread, Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Scripture reveals that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of each of these feasts. Thus, we have the benefit of clearly seeing the complete story God is teaching through each feast.

This Thursday, we will examine how Jesus Christ fulfilled the Passover feast. We will see how the Last Supper was actually a Jewish Passover Seder and that the bread and cup Jesus gave His disciples (as recorded in Matthew 26) is in Jewish Seder tradition the third of four cups of wine called the Cup of Redemption. This is the “cup” that Jesus fulfilled on the cross. Praise God!

Understanding all the feasts of the Lord in greater detail and knowing how Jesus is the fulfillment of them brings so much more excitement, life, and clarity to the scriptures. Lord willing we will spend more time exploring is deep truths.

I’m really excited about sharing this with you all. I hope to see you there!

Just a reminder that next week there will be no youth due to spring break.
God Bless,
-Phil

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Posted in Youth, fulfillment, Passover, seder, Phil Anady, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Mar 12
26

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #21 (2 of 2 weeks)

 

Doctrinal Standard WSC #21

• Q. Who is the redeemer of God’s chosen ones?
• A. The only redeemer of God’s chosen is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became man. He was and continues to be God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever.

 

Memory Verses

• “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” (Colossians 1:21–22, ESV).

Study Passage: Colossians 1:9-23

Support Passages: Luke 1:26-35, Colossians 2:8-12, Hebrews 2, Hebrews 7:23-28

Bible Story: John 9

 

Thoughts

• Jesus did not give up His human nature after His death and resurrection, for He appeared to His disciples as a man after the resurrection, even with the scars of the nail prints in His hands. He had ‘flesh and bones’ (Luke 24:39) and ate food (Luke 24:41-42). Later, when He was talking with His disciples, He was taken up into heaven, still in His resurrected human body, and two angels promised that He would return in the same way.” Scripture indicates that “Jesus did not temporarily become man, but that His divine nature was permanently united to His human nature, and He lives forever not just as the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, but also as Jesus, the man who was born of Mary, and as Christ, the Messiah and Savior of His people. Jesus will remain fully God and fully man, yet one person, forever (Pg. 542-543).
• Colossians provides interesting insight into some of the roles of Jesus Christ as the second person of the Trinity. He had an active part in creation. He is actively holding all of creation together. He is the head of the church. He is the first one to have a resurrected body. He is the one who has reconciled man with God.
• Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection has made it possible to be reconciled or reunited with God the Father. As a result of Christ’s death and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit man is able to reunite with God in a relationship that once was lost because of sin. Because of the imputed righteousness and the perfect mediation of Jesus Christ we have access to our God the Father.

Discussion Questions

• Explains the various roles are activities Jesus has or is actively participating in?
• Explain the two distinct natures of Jesus.
• What does reconciled mean?
• What are some examples of reconciliation?
• How has Jesus reconciled man with God?
• What part does man have in the reconciliation process?

Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

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Posted in Study Guides, Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Colossians 1, John 9, Luke, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Mar 12
19

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #21 (1 of 2 weeks)

Doctrinal Standard WSC #21 (1 of 2 weeks)

  • Q. Who is the redeemer of God’s chosen ones?
  • A. The only redeemer of God’s chosen is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became man. He was and continues to be God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever.

Scripture Memory Verses

  • “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, ESV).

Study Passage: I Timothy 2:1-7

Support Passages: Matthew 7:13-14; John 1:9, 6:35-40, 10:9, 14:6, 17:1-3; Acts 4:12, 2:23; Hebrews 9:11-15; I John 5:12, II John 9

Bible Story: II Kings 5:1-15

Insight and Application

  • We often think of Jesus as a physical being who was born in Bethlehem. It is important that we remember that Jesus has always existed as God. There is no beginning and no end to Jesus Christ. He is the second person of the Trinity.
  • “Because we are alienated from God by sin, we needed someone to come between God and ourselves and bring us back to him. We needed a mediator who could represent us to God and who could represent God to us. There is only one person who has ever fulfilled that requirement: ‘There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus’ (1 Tim 2:5). In order to fulfill this role of mediator, Jesus had to be fully man as well as fully God” (Pg. 541)[1] 
  • In order for Jesus to be an effective mediator He first had to be our ransom and redeemer. 1 Timothy 2:6 says, “that Jesus gave himself ransom for all.” The term ransom means that there is a payment for liberation. Jesus’ death is a ransom or liberation from sin. Scripture explains that sin does two things; it enslaves and it kills. As a result of Christ death the Spirit of God is able to free an individual from the bondage of sin and give life to a dead soul.
  • Jesus Christ is also referred to as a redeemer.  “Jesus had taught them that ‘everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin’ (Jn. 8:34). In line with this, Paul can think of himself as ‘carnal, sold under sin’ (Rom. 7:14), sold as under a cruel slave-master. He reminds the Romans that in earlier days they had been ‘slaves of sin’ (Rom. 6:17). From another point of view men were under the sentence of death on account of their sin. ‘For the wages of sin is death’ (Rom. 6:23). Sinners are slaves. Sinners are doomed to death. Either way the ancient world would have regarded the situation as being in need of redemption. Failing redemption, the slavery would continue, the sentence of death would be carried out. The cross of Christ is seen against this background. It is the price paid to release the slaves, to let the condemned go free.[2] 
  • 1 Timothy 2:2-7 is the study passage for this week because it address the important doctrine that Jesus Christ is our mediator and the only way to God. With that being said 1 Timothy 2:3–4 could potentially bring up questions in light of the previous catechism question regarding election.  1 Timothy 2:3–4 says, “this is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  The area of focus is with the words “desires all.” In the preceding two verses Paul tells Timothy that, first of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1–2). Then in verse three and four he explains that God desires all to be saved. It appears to me that when Paul tells Timothy that prayer should be made for all people he is referring to all types of people. This would include rulers and people in authority as Paul mentioned, it would also include both the poor and the rich, and every ethnicity. Therefore when Paul says that God desires all people to be saved, He is means all types of people. The Jew and all the Gentiles, people of every economic  status, and people in every level of authority. It is God’s desire that the Gospel go forth throughout the nations and people repent and turn to Him. This is God’s desire and it is something that will and is being accomplished.

Discussion Questions

  • Who is Jesus?
  • What does mediate mean?
  • What are some every day examples?
  • Who does Jesus mediate for and does He do it?
  • How is Jesus our redeemer and ransom?
  • Why is Jesus the only way to have fellowship with God the Father and get to Heaven?

 

[1] Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

[2] Wood, D. R. W., & Marshall, I. H. (1996). New Bible dictionary (3rd ed.) (1003). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

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Posted in Study Guides, Catechism, New Bible Dictionary, Wayne Grudem, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 1 Timothy 2, 2 Kings 5, John 14, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Mar 12
14

This Weeks Youth Focus – 3/15

This Thursday, I’m planning on approaching our discussions differently then previous weeks. Our students at Hemet High (as well as all our youth in the valley) have had to deal with some very traumatic tragedies over the lasts couple of months. Therefore, we are going to spend some time discussing life with all of its highs and lows and examine how we as Christians should act and respond to others during various trials. My plan is to let the Spirit lead on how long we discuss these issues. If it requires the whole time then we will proceed as He leads. If not, we will finish our discussion on the Atonement that we started last week.

God bless and I hope to see you there!

-Phil

Posted in Youth, Phil Anady, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Mar 12
11

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #20 (4 of 4 weeks)

Doctrinal Standard WSC #20 (4 of 4 weeks)

  • Q. Did God leave all mankind to die in sin and misery?
  • A. From all eternity and merely because it pleased Him God chose some to have everlasting life. These He freed from sin and misery by a covenant of grace and brought them to salvation by a redeemer.

Memory Verses

  • “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith…29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:26,29, ESV).

Study Passage: Hebrews 8

Support Passages: Hebrews 9 – 11

Bible Story: Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-16

Thoughts

  • Scripture is very clear and Paul spent most of his missionary journeys reiterating the fact that salvation is attained by nothing but faith alone. One of the main differences between the Mosaic Covenant and the New Covenant is not the commands of God but rather the type of covenant. The Mosaic Covenant is primarily a covenant of Law. If you keep the commands you will be blessed. If you disobey the commands you will be cursed. While faith was most certainly a part of the Mosaic Covenant the main point of this covenant is to show that the works of man will never be good enough to meet the requirements of God. Whereas the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) is considered a covenant of Grace. According to Jeremiah, in the New Covenant God actively places His word within the elect giving them faith and the ability to believe. This is what Paul is saying in Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
  • Paul said, since salvation is a gift, a gracious act of God, we have no right to say that we did anything to deserve salvation. We cannot claim that we were more intelligent than others and, therefore, sought after God, that our sinfulness was less than that of others, that we did enough good to earn God acceptance. We can’t boast in the faith that we have. Hebrew says, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”Therefore, if salvation comes only by faith, and if faith is a gift from God, our boasting should only be in the Lord who is at work in our lives.
  • So what is man’s responsibility in light of God’s work in an individual’s life? The answer is rather simple, we are to respond in faith (trusting) being driven by the desires and convictions God is creating within us. God is the one giving life to our once dead souls, He is the one guiding, and providing the faith to respond to what He has called us to do.
    • John 16:7–8 (ESV) Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
    • Romans 8:14 (ESV) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
    • Romans 12:3 (ESV)  For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
    • John 6:44 (ESV)  No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Discussion Questions

  • Explain what faith is?
  • Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”If salvation is by faith but yet it’s not our own doing where does faith come from?
  • If God is the “the founder and perfecter of our faith.” What is man’s responsibility in relating to God and in life in general?
  • Even though Christians have a responsibility to live a holy life before God. How does it make you feel that God is the one actively perusing and growing us spiritually?
  •   In light of what we have been studying the last few weeks can someone lose their salvation?
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Posted in Study Guides, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Galatians 3, Hebrews 8, John 3:14, Numbers 21, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Mar 12
8

This Weeks Youth Focus – 3/8

This Thursday we will be studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ and discussing how these truths can be applied to our every day lives. Chapter 27 of Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology” explains the doctrine of the Atonement in a very concise, logical and biblical manor and it is one of the resources I will use to lead our study. Time permitting, we will focus on three concepts of the Atonement. First, we will examine the cause of the Atonement. Second, we will discuss the necessity of the Atonement. Third, we will study how Christ’s death not only paid the penalty for our sins but how His perfect obedience “also became our righteousness before God.”

I’m extremely excited to discuss and share these deep and meaningful truths with our students. Come ready to discuss and think! I hope to see you there.

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Posted in Youth, Atonement, Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem, Phil Anady, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Mar 12
5

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #20 (3 of 4 weeks)

Doctrinal Standards WSC #20 (3 of 4 weeks)

  • Q. Did God leave all mankind to die in sin and misery?
  • A. From all eternity and merely because it pleased Him God chose some to have everlasting life. These He freed from sin and misery by a covenant of grace and brought them to salvation by a redeemer.

Memory Verses

  • “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3, ESV).

Study Passage: Romans 4

Support Passages: Genesis 12:1-4; John 3:36, 8:56; Acts 7; Romans 3:21-31; Galatians 3:1-14; Hebrews 11:1-12; James 2:21-24

Bible Story: Genesis 22:1-14

Insight and Application

  • The distinction between the Law and the Gospel is something that is found throughout scripture but is a major reoccurring theme in Paul’s epistles. The term law can mean a couple different things in scripture but most of the time is referring to the Old Testament scriptures. When we refer to the Gospel we mean that Salvation and acceptance before God is based solely on gift and imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.
  • In the book of Romans and many of Paul’s other letters he is trying to communicate with the people that if you try and earn acceptance and salvation from God through keeping the Law (Old Testament commands) your efforts will come up short. The Law or the commands of God were never intended to bring about salvation because no one could ever keep them perfectly.
  • In Romans chapter 4, Paul explains that Abraham who existed before the Law of God was even given was accepted before God because of the faith he had. Paul never once taught that a Jewish Christian should not keep the Law nor did He ever teach that the Law of God was bad. He taught that if you try and earn your way to God by keeping the Law you are destined to be cursed. If you break the smallest part of the Law you have transgressed the Law and are pronounced a sinner resulting in death. Throughout all of Paul’s missionary journeys he continually preached that salvation is received through faith by the grace of God.

Discussion Questions

  • The Bible teaches and the catechism explains that salvation is received through faith. What does this mean?
  • The catechism says that God has freed us from sin through a covenant of grace. What is the meaning of the word grace?
  • How has God shown His grace?
  • The catechism says salvation is provided by a redeemer. What does redeem mean and how does it fit the description of Jesus?
  • If we are saved by grace through faith are we required to follow God’s commands? Why?
  • Is the Law of God bad or faulty? Explain.
  • What could the Law of God not do?
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Posted in Study Guides, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Genesis 22, Romans 4, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Feb 12
28

This Weeks Youth Focus – 3/1

About every 6 weeks we take a Thursday night and discuss various doctrines found in the catechism that we are using within our homes and with our children here at Emmaus (See our “Resource” page for more information about catechism). This week we will examine questions 16-21. I’m really excited about discussing these doctrinal truths because it is at the heart of the gospel. These 6 questions address the doctrine of sin and salvation from a biblical perspective that brings God the ultimate glory and honor. I hope to see you there!

Q. 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first disobedience?
A. Since the covenant was made not only for Adam but also for his natural descendants, all mankind sinned in him and fell with him in his first disobedience. (Ge 2:16,17; Ro 5:12; 1 Co 15:21,22)

Q. 17. What happened to man in the fall?
A. Man fell into a condition of sin and misery. (Ro 5:12)

Q. 18. What is sinful about man’s fallen condition?
A. The sinfulness of that fallen condition is twofold. First, in what is commonly called original sin, there is the guilt of Adam’s first sin with its lack of original righteousness and the corruption of his whole nature. Second are all the specific acts of disobedience that come from original sin. (Ro 5:12,19; Ro 5:10-20; Eph 2:1-3; Jas 1:14,15; Mt 15:19)

Q. 19. What is the misery of man’s fallen condition?
A. By their fall all mankind lost fellowship with God and brought His anger and curse on themselves. They are therefore subject to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. (Ge 3:8,10,24; Eph 2:2,3; Gal 3:10; La 3:39; Ro 6:23; Mt 25:41).

Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to die in sin and misery?
A. From all eternity and merely because it pleased Him God chose some to have everlasting life. These He freed from sin and misery by a covenant of grace and brought them to salvation by a redeemer. (Eph 1:4; Ro 3:20,21,22; Gal 3:21,22)

Q 21. Who is the redeemer of God’s chosen ones?
A. The only redeemer of God’s chosen is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became man. He was and continues to be God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever. (1 Ti 2:5,6; Jn 1:14; Gal 4:4; Ro 9:5; Lk 1:35; Col 2:9; Heb 7:24,25)

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Posted in Youth, Catechism, Doctrine, Gospel, Salvation, Sin, Phil Anady, Posted by Phil. No Comments

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