Sep 12
5

O Great God

This Sunday, we will be singing a new song together and I wanted to share it with you beforehand so you could have a chance to listen to it, read the lyrics, and think about its rich meaning.

CLICK HERE to listen to it.

VERSE 1
O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

VERSE 2
I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

VERSE 3
Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

 

I’ve been really encouraged by this song and I hope you will too.  It reminds us of the Gospel in that, before the work of the Spirit in us, we were dead in our transgressions – blind and deaf – and by the grace and mercy of God, through faith, we have been given life.

It reminds me of Ephesians 2:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved athrough 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.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, O Great God, Sovereign Grace Music, Songs, Mike Thezier, Ephesians 2, Posted by Mike. No Comments

Sep 12
4

No Youth This Week – 9/6

There will be no youth this week. Sorry for the incovience.

Have a great week!

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

Sep 12
4

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #33

Doctrinal Standard #33 (2 of 2 weeks)

  • Q. What is Justification?
  • A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace wherein He pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone.

Memory Verses

  • “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1–2, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 5:12-21
  • Support Passages: Romans 4:1-9, Psalm 32:1-2, Philippians 3:8-12, I Corinthians 1:30-31, II Corinthians 5:21
  • Bible Story: Philemon

Thoughts

  • Romans 5:12-21 contrasts the work of Adam and Jesus Christ. Had Adam lived in perfect obedience to God’s word sin would have not entered into the world and been passed on to the generations. But we know that did not happen. Romans 5:12 tells us that, “just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” Jesus Christ (sometimes referred to as the second Adam) came into the world and did what the first Adam was unable to do. He died a perfect sacrifice, taking away the sins of those who believe. He also lived a righteous life according to God’s Law and imputed that righteous to his follows enabling his believes to be accepted before God the Father (refer to lesson #48 for more on the act of justification).
  • So when does justification take place in the life of a believer? C.I. Williamson provides some thoughts on this question. “In order to see the glory of this justification more clearly, we need now to stress certain truths. One of these is the fact that a man can be justified only once. It is not possible for a man to be justified again and again. Justification is not a work (which is only gradually completed) but an act (which is completed in a moment). This is because of the fact that when Christ finished His life of obedience on earth, He offered up to the Father for His elect people a perfect righteousness. And when He received the terrible punishment for their sins, He made a full payment for all of their sins. When a man repents of his sin and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, in other words, he is from that moment onward – even through all eternity – legally righteous before God. He is no more subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus’ (Rom. 8:1). But another thing that we must stress is the fact that no man is justified until he repents and believes. Since Christ died for the ungodly many centuries ago, some have thought that God’s elect people who were already justified at that moment when Christ’s work was finished. Others have supposed that they were justified from eternity because God already planned to justify them before the world began. But the Bible clearly teaches us that this is not so. ‘You,’ says the Apostle, ‘were some time alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death’ (Col. 1:21-22). And ‘we have believed in Jesus Christ,’ he says in another place, ‘that we might be justified ‘ (Gal 2:16). The reason for this is that there is a difference between God’s plan and execution of God’s plan. There is a difference between what God has done to provide a basis for our justification, and what God does in making application of redemption to us” [1] (Pg. 150)

Discussion Questions

  • Adam was created without sin and then what happen? What was the result on all of humanity?
  • Was Adam capable of saving mankind from sin entering into the world? Explain.
  • Jesus Christ is sometimes referred to as the second Adam. Why is that?
  • Jesus Christ was able to do what Adam could not, live righteous before God. How does Christ righteousness benefit believers?
  • How does Christ sacrifice benefit believers?
  • Why does God accept Jesus’ death as forgiveness for the believers’ sins?

[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, C.I. Williamson, Justification, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Philemon, Psalm 32, Romans 5, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Aug 12
28

Youth Focus – 8/30

This Thursday (8/30) we will be discussing the Canon of Scripture as outlined in chapter 3 of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology book. While this topic can be very academic, we will be discussing why we can trust that the 66 books found in the Bible are authentic, reliable, and a complete revelation of God’s word. I’m looking forward to this Thursday’s meeting and the great discussion that will take place.

7pm @ EV Free

-Phil

Posted in Youth, Phil Anady, Canon of Scripture, Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Aug 12
27

GCG Questions for Sermon on 08/26/12

This week Joe introduced the foundation documents and led the church in its first Elder appointment. There is no primary text this week.

1. What is the biblical definition of an elder?
2. What did/do you think about Emmaus’ Eldership process and presentation?
3. Look over Emmaus’ foundation documents and discuss with your group. Thoughts? Pros or Cons? Concerns? Elaborations? Suggestions?
4. Spend some time in prayer for the leadership of our church and the future of Emmaus.
5. Share challenges and praises with one another.

Posted in Study Guides, Gospel Community Groups, Russell Schmidt, Posted by Russell. No Comments

Aug 12
27

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #33

Doctrinal Standard #33 (1 of 2 weeks)

  • Q. What is justification?
  • A. Justification is the act of God’s free grace by which He pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous in His sight. He does so only because He counts the righteousness of Christ as ours. Justification is received by faith alone.

Memory Verses

  • “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23–24, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 5:1-11, John 6:41-71
    • Support Passages: Romans 3:24-25, 4:5-6, James 2:21-25, II Corinthians 5:11-21, Galatians 2:15-18, Titus 3:5-7, Colossians 1:19-23, Isaiah 44:22-23
    • Bible Story: II Samuel 12:1-28, Psalm 51

Thoughts

  • Martin Luther calls justification the “wonderful exchange.” He explains Justification as “mystery which is rich in divine grace to sinners: wherein by a wonderful exchange our sins are no longer ours but Christ’s, and the righteousness of Christ not Christ’s but ours. He has emptied himself of his righteousness that he might clothe us with it and fill us with it; and he has taken our evils upon himself that he might deliver us from them.”
  • As Scripture declares and Martin Luther explained justification has two components.  The sins of all those who believe in Christ were placed or imputed to Jesus and paid in full at his crucifixion. Second, if the taking away of sins was the only aspect of justification a believer’s spiritual state would only revert back to that of Adam and Eve’s prior to the Fall. Not only do believer’s need their sins taken away they also need Christ’s righteousness imputed to them. God requires perfect obedience to His Law. The Scriptures and the history of mankind has revealed that man’s effort to live righteously before God (covenant of works) is unable to save anyone. Since Christ lived in perfect obedience to the Law and was accepted before God, believers benefit by having His righteous life imputed to them as their own. This is the pinnacle of the covenant of grace. What believers are unable to do Christ did for them.

Discussion Questions

  • There are two components of justification. What are they?
  • Martin Luther calls justification the “wonderful exchange.” What does that mean?
  • The righteousness that Jesus imputes onto believers comes from him doing what?
  • What would be the problem if Jesus only took our sins away?
  • What would be the problem if Jesus only gave us His righteousness?
  • Jesus has done the work of justification but how must the believer receive it?
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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Justification, Martin Luther, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 2 Samuel, John 6, Romans 3, Romans 5, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Aug 12
20

GCG Questions for Sermon on 08/19/12

This week Joe continued his sermon on the Great Commission. Matthew 28:16-20 will still serve as the primary text.

1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passage?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these/this passage(s) of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Compare the listed passage with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
4. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out (if any)? What? Why? Share.
5. Read through at least 2 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)
6. Do you believe that you are being proactive in proclaiming the gospel? Why or why not? How? Explain.
7. What can you do differently in your daily life to better proclaim the gospel? Share. Encourage.
8. Have you been baptized? Reminisce about your experience. If you have not been baptized, are you considering it? Share.
9. How do we as Christians go about teaching others “all that Christ has commanded?” What does “all that Christ commanded entail?” Share. Explain.

Posted in Study Guides, Gospel Community Groups, Russell Schmidt, Posted by Russell. No Comments

Aug 12
20

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #32

Doctrinal Standard #32

  • Q. What benefits do those who are effectively called share in this life?
  • A. In this life those who are effectively called share justification, adoption, sanctification, and the other benefits that either go with or come from them.

Memory Verses

  • “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: John 6:41-71
  • Support Passages: Romans 8:1-11, John 5:41-47, Ephesians 4:17-19, Romans 3:9-18
  • Bible Story: II Samuel 9

Thoughts

  • The next three catechism questions specifically explain justification, adoption, and sanctification. This particular doctrinal standard provides a larger perspective on the different ways believers benefit from their effective calling.
  • “Justification is a legal act whereby God declares the believing sinner righteous on the basis of the blood of Christ. The basic meaning of justification is ‘to declare righteous.’ Several other things can be learned about Paul’s usage of justification:  justification is a gift of God’s grace (Rom. 3:24); it is appropriated through faith (Rom 5:1; Gal 3:24); it is possible through the blood of Christ (Rom 5:9); and it is apart from the law (Rom 3:20; Gal. 2:16; 3:11). This last point is a major emphasis of Paul and undoubtedly the thesis of the book of Galatians – man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ” (110).
  • “The word adaption (Gk. Huiothesia) means ‘placing as a son’ and describes the rights and privileges as well as the new position of the believer in Christ. The word is taken from Roman custom where, in a legal ceremony, the adopted son was given all the rights of a natural-born son. In this rite, four things happened. ‘[a] the adopted person lost all rights in his old family, and gained all rights of a fully legitimate son in his new family. [b] He became heir to his new father’s estate. [c] The old life of the adopted person was completely wiped out. For instance, legally all debts were cancelled; they were wiped out as if they had never been. [d] In the eyes of the law the adopted person was literally and absolutely the son of his new father’” (pg. 329).
  • “The word sanctification (Gk. Hagiasmos) means ‘to set apart.’ The same root word is found in the English words saint, holy, and holiness. Sanctification and its related terms are used in a variety of ways in both the Old Testament and New Testament. With respect to the New Testament believer, however, there are primarily three aspects of sanctification.
  • (1)   Positional sanctification. This is the believer’s position or standing before God, based on the death of Christ. In positional sanctification the believer is accounted holy before God; he is declared a saint. Paul frequently began his letters by addressing the believers as saints (Rom. 1:7). It is noteworthy that so carnal a group as the church at Corinth is addressed as ‘those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus’ (1 Cor. 1:2). This positional sanctification is achieved through the once-for-all death of Christ (Heb. 10:10, 14, 29).
  • (2)   Experiential Sanctification. Although the believer’s positional sanctification is secure, his experiential sanctification may fluctuate because it relates to his daily life and experience. Paul’s prayer is that believers should be sanctified entirely in their experience (1 Thess. 5:23); Peter commands believers to be sanctified or holy (1 Peter 1:16). This experiential sanctification grows as the believer dedicates his life to God (Rom. 6:13; 12:1-2) and is nourished by the word of God (Ps. 119:9-16). Clearly, additional factors enter into experiential sanctification.
  • (3)   Ultimate Sanctification. This aspect of sanctification is future and anticipates the final transformation of the believer into the likeness of Christ. At that time all believers will be presented to the Lord without any blemish (Eph. 5:26-27)” (Pg. 329-330). [1]

Discussion Questions

  • In the next four weeks we will look at each one of these more closely. This week is an introduction to become familiar with the terms and their meaning.
  • What are the three ways believers benefit from being effectively called (saved)?
  • Briefly explain Justification in your own words.
  • What is God’s and man’s responsibility in Justification?
  • Briefly explain biblical adoption in your own words.
  • What is God’s and man’s responsibility in adoption?
  • Briefly explain sanctification in your own words.
  • What is God’s and man’s responsibility in sanctification?
  • In what other ways does Christ’s salvation benefit believers?

[1] Enns, Paul (1994). The Moody Handbook of Theology. Chicago, Illinois, USA; Moody Press.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 2 Samuel 9, John 6, Posted by Phil. No Comments

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