Feb 12
27

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #20 (2 of 4 weeks)

Doctrinal Standards WSC #20 (2 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

  • “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” (Matthew 5:13, ESV).

Study Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22

Support Passages: Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 13

Bible Story: Matthew 5:13-16

Insight and Application

  • Scripture teaches us that we have faith in Christ because God has chosen us for salvation. We must understand that God’s choosing has nothing to do with us but has everything to do with Him. Everything is for His will, purpose, and glory.
    • Isaiah 46:10 (ESV) declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.
    • Psalm 115:3 (ESV) Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
    • Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
    • Ephesians 3:8–10 (ESV) To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
    • Deuteronomy 10:14–15 (ESV)  Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. 15 Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day.
    • Psalm 33:12 (ESV) Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
    • Psalm 106:5 (ESV)  that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.
    • Haggai 2:23 (ESV)  On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”
    • Exodus 33:19 (ESV) 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
    • Deuteronomy 7:6–7 (ESV)  “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples,
    • Matthew 11:27 (ESV) 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
    • Matthew 22:14 (ESV) 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
    • Matthew 24:22 (ESV) 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
    • Matthew 24:24 (ESV) 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
    • Matthew 24:31 (ESV) 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
    • Luke 18:7 (ESV) And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
    • Romans 8:28–30 (ESV) 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
    • Romans 8:33 (ESV)  Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
    • Colossians 3:12 (ESV) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (ESV) For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
    • Titus 1:1 (ESV)  Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
    • 1 Peter 1:1–2 (ESV)  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
    • 1 Peter 2:8–9 (ESV)  and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
    • Revelation 17:14 (ESV) They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
    • Mark 13:20 (ESV) And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.
    • Ephesians 1:4–5 (ESV) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
    • Romans 9:11–13 (ESV) though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
    • Romans 9:16 (ESV) So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
    • Romans 10:20 (ESV)  Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
    • 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 (ESV)  But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
    • 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)  who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
    • John 15:16 (ESV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
    • Acts 13:48 (ESV) And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
    • Philippians 1:29 (ESV)  For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
    • 1 Thessalonians 1:4–5 (ESV) 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.
    • 2 Timothy 2:10 (ESV) Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
    • Because we are chosen in Christ we must view our position appropriately with humility. We must realize that our salvation and purpose is rooted in the glorification of our great King. This is why the Lord Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth. This is why Jesus told us to love one another. This is why scriptures tell us to live as set apart and not to live like the world. Our contact towards one another and the way with live our life is to bring glory and honor to the one and true God.
    • We begin to lose a biblical perspective and start developing pride when we think that salvation and this life are about ourselves. God has chosen you and I to live in order that He may be seen and praised my many.

Discussion Questions

  • If God was not obligated to save any human being, why did He?
  • What should be the response of those who God has chosen? Explain
  • Why did God give commands to follow? Explain
  • Is salvation about God or man? Explain
  • What is this life about? (WSC #1)
  • Does your life reflect that truth? Explain
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Posted in Study Guides, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Ephesians 2:11-22, Matthew 5:13-16, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Feb 12
26

OIA for Sermon on 02/26/12

This week the sermon discussed God’s involvement with the fall of man. The questions of “Where is God in all the suffering” is a question that has troubled Christians for centuries. The following is a list of OIA questions in the attempt to bring consensus to this difficult question. (Note that several passages of scripture were used in this sermon, so several verses should be included in answering the following questions.)

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding any of the listed passage?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?

Interpretation

1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on your chosen 3 passages 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)

Application

1. How does/should the truth that God is completely Omniscient affect/effect how you live every day? How should this truth affect the amount of how much you worry or have anxiety? Why? Explain.
2.Why is the truth that nothing in life is meaningless or without purpose important in the every day life of believer? How would you minister to a hurting Christian, who perhaps recently experienced the death of a loved one, if they asked the question “why would God allow this to happen?” (I know this is a difficult question to address, but you should discuss this question in your groups as it is very likely someone will ask you this question in the near future.)
3. Ponder (really ponder) on the truth that Nothing, Nothing, Nothing is outside of Gods control. What thoughts, feelings, or ideas come to mind? Share.
4. The Bible teaches that God works all things to good for those who love him (Rom 8:28) Though we cannot always see this truth in everything, we can often see how God has worked seemingly “bad things” into “good things” in our lives. Share with your group some experiences in which God worked something bad into good.

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

Feb 12
22

Lent

Today marks the 1st day of Lent (Ash Wednesday). Lent marks the 40th day prior to Holy Week. This time of year has always been a special time for Whitney and me as we each give up something of importance for a time of “fasting” in preparation for the Passover and the celebration of our risen Lord. I’d like to encourage you to consider taking part in this great event. We have found that in fasting from what are usually normal luxuries for a 40 day period brings about a great spiritual renewal as we enter into the time of Easter. The following list gives some ideas for what to choose for fasting.

-TV
-Internet
-Sweets
-Soda
-Money
-Solitude

The idea is to give up something that will be difficult but not unmanageable or impossible. In doing so we mimic the acts of Christ in the wilderness prior to His ministry. But whether you participate in this year’s Lent or not, praise be to God for He is risen indeed! (A little premature I know, sorry I’m a little excited!)

Blessings,

Russell

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Holy Days, Lent, Russell Schmidt, Posted by Russell. No Comments

Feb 12
21

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #20 (1 of 4 weeks)

Doctrinal Standards WSC #20 (1 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

  • “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (I Peter 2:9-10, ESV).

Study Passage: 1 Peter 1:13-2:10

Support Passages: Genesis 3:15, 9:8-17, 12:1-3, 15:1-21; Romans 8:28-30

Bible Story: Genesis 19:1-26

Thoughts

  • In order to begin to understand the doctrine of election, we must fully comprehend God’s sovereignty, the result of sin in man’s life, and the grace of God.
  • The Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign over everything. God is in control of everything: He sets up governments (Romans 13:1), He ordains where people will live, at what period of time they will live, and when they will die (Acts 17:26). God reigns over Satan and his demons and is able to take the worst they could possible do and turn it into our greatest good (Romans 8:28). God knows what all of our needs are, and He takes care of them (Matthew 5:8). He takes care of and provides for all the plants and animals (Matthew 6:26-28).  He knew that Adam and Eve, while created perfect, would sin and be in need of a savior. That Savior, Jesus Christ, was chosen before the world was formed, and was destined to come to the earth, die, and rise again for the forgiveness of sins (I Peter 1:20). God controls everything through His permissive will, that which He allows, and through His ordained will, that which He actively brings about.
  • In order to fully understand predestination, we must understand the consequence of sin. The result of sin is death both physically and spiritually. When someone is physically dead, they are one hundred percent bound by their condition. They cannot move, they cannot speak, and they cannot change their state of deadness. The same is true when someone is spiritually dead. They cannot change from death to life, they cannot seek what is spiritually good, and they cannot choose to follow the life found in Christ because they are spiritually dead. As it is written in Romans 3:10–18 (ESV):  “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. 13 Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. 14 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known. 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Mankind, in its sinful state, is at odds with God and is completely spiritually dead.  Just as Christ called Lazarus out of the grave and gave him life, God is the only one who can bring to life a dead soul, creating the desire to follow after Him.
  • In order to understand how God chooses to save only some through His grace and love, we need to comprehend the true meaning of grace. As we know, the consequence or result of sin is death. Every human being is a sinner and is justly condemned to Hell and punishment. God would be just and righteous to send every individual to Hell, saving no one. God is not obligated to save anyone, but He does. He chooses to save some. This is the true meaning of grace: God shows His grace by saving some when all deserve Hell. Most often we ask ourselves the question, “Why doesn’t God save all or at least more?” Actually, the more biblical question we should ponder is, “Why does God save any?” We often consider the salvation our Lord provides as an obligation required of Him when in reality it is purely a gift that He has chosen to give to some. His salvation is not given out of duty but rather out of His gracious and merciful heart. The response of those who have received His grace should be nothing less than great humility and thankfulness for what the Creator of the universe has done for us.

Discussion Questions

  • What is man’s spiritual condition because of sin? Explain
  • The Bible teaches that the result of sin is death. It also teaches that those who sin are slaves to sin. Discuss the characteristics or abilities of someone who is dead or a slave.
  • What are the desires of someone who is spiritually dead?
  • If all of mankind is sinful and, therefore, spiritually dead and slaves to sin, do we have the ability to choose and follow after Christ? Explain
  • If no one can choose to follow after Christ, why do some people receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and follow His commands? Explain
  • The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave illustrates exactly how God gives spiritual life to the spiritual dead (John 11:1-44).  Discuss the similarities.

 

Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 1 Peter 1:13-2:10, Acts 17:26, Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:1-21, Genesis 19:1-26, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 9:8-17, I Peter 1:20, I Peter 2:9-10, Matthew 5:8, Matthew 6:26-28, Romans 3:10–18, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:28-30, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Feb 12
20

No Youth 2/23

Have a great week off from school!

Posted in Youth, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Feb 12
19

OIA for sermon on 02/19/12

This week the sermon covered Genesis 3:7-24. Genesis 3:7-24 gives the first glimpse of what life on earth was like once sin was introduced. The following is a list of OIA questions for discussion in your Gospel Community Groups. The Bible text follows the questions.

Observation

1. Who is the intended audience in this passage?
2. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding this passage?
3. When was this scripture written?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up all five of theses passages of scripture in one sentence, what would it be?

Interpretation

1. Compare this passage with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on this 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)
4. This portion of scripture uses an Anthropomorphism in describing God. What is an Anthropomorphism and why is it important in interpreting this passage? (vs.8)

Application

1. As Joe pointed out in his sermon, some of the initial, direct, and immediate effects of sin were fear, shame, and hiding. What other direct affects do you see as stemming from the first sin? Share with your group.
2. In the world of counseling, nearly 90{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9} of psychological psychosis is linked directly to the areas of shame and doubt. Give some real life and practical examples of how shame and doubt affects daily living and other areas of life.
3. What are some areas in your life where shame and doubt have hindered your relationship with God? With others? Share.
4. How could Genesis 3 be useful in evangelizing to a non-believer? Explain and share with your group.

Genesis 3:7-24 Bible Text Only
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And
they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard
the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the
man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the
trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where
are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid,
because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were
naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The
man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the
tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you
have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” The Lord
God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all
livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust
you shall eat all the days of your life. 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.” To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your
pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be foryour husband, and he shall rule over you.” And to Adam he said, “Because you
have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I
commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in
pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. Then the Lord God said,
“Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest
he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—”
therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground
from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of
Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to
guard the way to the tree of life.

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

Feb 12
15

This Weeks Youth Focus – 2/16

Last week, we looked at what it means that God is sovereign. We examined numerous passages and scripture and determined that when we say God is sovereign we mean that God is in control of everything and knows everything. He had ordained where and when we should live, he has numbered our days, He has allowed evil to enter into the world, and He has caused great good to come from various trials and tribulations. Scripture clearly teaches that God is control of everything and He either causes or allows something to take place for no other reason than to bring about His purposes. If this were not true God would not be God.

This week, we are going to continue our study on God’s sovereignty but focus on how man is to relate to the sovereignty of God.  We are going to focus our study on three central questions: If God knows everything, why should pray? If God is the one who gives spiritual life to an individual, why should we evangelize? If God is in control of everything, why do we have so much worry and anxiety?

I hope to see you there and I really enjoy discussing these deep theological issues with our young adults!

-Phil

Posted in Youth, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Feb 12
13

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #19

Doctrinal Standards WSC #19

  • Q. 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.

Memory Verses

  • “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10 ESV).

Study Passage: Matthew 25:31-46

Support Passages: Deuteronomy 28; Lamentations

Bible Story: Luke 16:19-31

Thoughts

  • We always need to be reminded that sin has resulted in a separation from or broken relationship with God. Because of our sins, we all deserve the full wrath of God. God would be just and righteous in condemning every single human being to hell for the punishment of their transgression. This truth is extremely important to understand. God does not have to save a single individual from the punishment they rightly deserve. But He does choose to save some. The fact that He saves some when He is not obligated to do so clearly expresses the true meaning of God’s grace and mercy.
  • After Adam and Eve sinned against God, they were told that as a consequence they would experience misery and pain for the remainder of life (Genesis3:14-19). This misery, like sin, is passed down from generation to generation. Suffering, heartache, frustration, and a longing for things to be perfect is a result of sin entering into the world.

Discussion Questions

  • What is sin?
  • What is the punishment for sin? Explain.
  • Is it both a physical and spiritual death? Explain.
  • Besides death, what other effects does sin have on life?
  • Would God be just to punish and send every single human being to Hell? Why?
  • If God can justly send every human being to Hell for their sins, why doesn’t He?
  • After answering the previous two questions, explain God’s grace and mercy.
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Deuteronomy 28, Luke 16:19-31, Matthew 25:31-46, Posted by Phil. No Comments

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warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28, ESV)

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