God Equips and Prepares His People
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Welcome/Announcements
LTN June 4-8. Volunteer forms due April 1. We have 3 people signed up at the moment (yes, we’re Baptists) so don’t wait until the last day if you plan on helping. There is a way for YOU to serve!
Annie Armstrong ($6,000 goal)
Prayer Requests
Prayer
Video from David Platt about going
What are we willing to do for the cross of Jesus Christ? We have the best news to share and there is a world in need of hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ because it is the only message that will save sinners like you, me, and every other person we know.
As we think about our testimonies and what Jesus has done in our lives, if we have a testimony we have to ask ourselves if we are willing to share that with others? If I have a story, am I sharing my story? If not, why? Do I not have a Jesus story… or am I not sharing it because I’m afraid? It’s normal to be a little afraid of sharing our testimony, but it’s literally our story of what Jesus has done in our lives. If someone has a problem with that, their problem is with God, not you! Jesus calls us to be His witnesses - that requires us to share the Gospel.
Church History Week 10
We made it! I pray that this study has been informative as we’ve learned new things about people, beliefs, Scripture, the history of the church, but most of all as we’ve been reminded of the faithfulness of our God even in uncertain times of intense persecution and suffering. He is good and He is still on His throne. He has a purpose and a plan for us!
Church History Lesson Video
Little bit of a recap from last week
God always preserves His people and raises up His people for such a time as this! We see this throughout Scripture and one of the blessings of studying church history is our ability to refocus during difficult seasons of our lives and keep our eyes on Jesus. As we study church history, our lows aren’t as low as we might think, and our highs aren’t as high as we might think either! This gives us much needed perspective in difficult times.
We are living in a strange new world - but the persecution being faced in our world isn’t anything new. Sure, we see things like sexual confusion, subjective truth, and a general lack of compassion and discussion with people that we disagree with all on the rise… but that’s not to say that this is all new. It’s definitely not new for Christians to face persecution and to see evil not only being praised but dominating the airwaves. The difference in our world today is this: It’s broadcasted everywhere for all to see. As we’ve studied the last 10 weeks about the history of the church, we’ve seen that Christians have always faced evil rulers and people who genuinely want them gone for good. We’ve seen evil praised and wrong celebrated while right is condemned. This isn’t new!
Why is it so important for us to at least be aware of History in general?
If we don’t understand it, we’ll repeat it!
History gives us much needed perspective
We’ve also seen several heresies, or false beliefs, that were popular in the early centuries of the church and how people still believe them today. While some beliefs (Prosperity Gospel and Name it/Claim it Gospel) are certainly newer and have some fancy packaging on them. How can Church History guard us against these types of false beliefs, especially about Jesus?
Church History shares with us what early Christians believed and taught about the Bible and Jesus Christ. If they didn’t teach something and it’s suddenly popular but it’s brand new, it’s probably not right!
Knowing Church History can also help us stand on the Word of God whenever we hear things that aren’t in line with the Word
We remember what the early church leaders said about Jesus and what others were saying about Jesus. Whenever we know previous issues, we can be on guard against those issues today. Example: Whenever someone teaches that the Holy Spirit is the genie from Aladdin, if you know church history and are familiar with the Apostles Creed, you can say that this is absolutely nonsense because the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity. He is God - not your cosmic butler to order around. You can understand that this is not a new issue… it’s been a concern and problem for 2000 years that people have had to stand boldly upon.
As we arrive at the cusp of the Protestant Reformation, we again learn about John Wycliffe and John Hus. Last week we noted how these 2 played crucial roles in setting the stage for Martin Luther and others who would arrive in the 16th century. One of the things that Wycliffe argued for is what we would today call the priesthood of the believer or the doctrine that Christians, because of what Jesus has done in saving us, are priests who can come before God and read and study His Word. This means that all Christians are equally able to access God and study His Word - it’s not just for the priests or pastors.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
This is in reference to the people that are saved and belong to Christ - He calls them a Royal Priesthood and Holy Nation. This is not in reference to simply the Jewish people, this is in reference to all who are saved by grace through faith in Christ! Do you see how this doctrine such a threat to the Pope?
YES!
Some have taken this doctrine to the extreme to say that because they can come before God with boldness because of Jesus as Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us, that they don’t need to come to church and have accountability and community. That’s certainly not what the Scriptures teach. We know that God hears His people whenever they come to Him through Jesus AND that we, as Christians, are called to gather and not forsake that gathering. Tonight we’re going to look briefly at Hebrews 13:12-17 and make some observations and look forward with optimism at what our God is doing and what He will do - even when things don’t necessarily go our way or look good on the outside.
12 Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify the people by his own blood.
13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace.
14 For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.
15 Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Again, with the priesthood of the believer, this doesn’t mean that we don’t need leaders - that’s Biblical and Christ calls on us to obey and submit to them… But aren’t you thankful that Rome doesn’t elect our leaders? Aren’t you thankful that Nashville doesn’t tell FBC Salem what we have to do and preach on? The priesthood of the believer and the autonomy of the local church are distinctives that we thank people like Wycliffe for because he was persecuted for those teachings as they weakened the grip of the Catholic Church over the everyday Christian and local churches throughout the world.
Christ calls on us to go outside the “camp” where He is and that means that we will suffer, just like He did! Why do you think Christians historically have embraced and not ran away from suffering?
They kept their eyes on Jesus!
How can we do more of the same?
Hebrews 13 tells us that we are to continue doing what is good and to offer up a sacrifice of praise as we confess the name of Jesus. In the book of Hebrews, this might have led to their death! Yet, this is what Christ commands. That we follow Him - even if it means persecution. This is what we’ve seen in this study.
God equips and prepares His people for His purposes - even in exile, persecution, suffering, and tragedy! This is what we see as we study church history, Scripture, and as we look at our own lives. God uses all things for our good - even things that don’t feel good. He is at work. He has a plan. He is good. Even suffering, even persecution, even tragedy. I’ve heard so many people talk about how they don’t know how things will look a generation from now - you know that Peter, Paul, and many of those people believed that Jesus was going to come back in their generation, don’t you? That was 2000 years ago! Jesus didn’t return and they faithfully did the work He called them to do. Friends, the fields of harvest are plentiful. There is good work in front of us to do. There are 12,000 people in Dent County who don’t attend church. There are billions around our world who have never heard the name of Jesus. Let our call to action from this study be this: Don’t get too high or too low with what we see on the news. God is ruling and reigning on His throne. He has a purpose and a plan for each one of us and each person on this planet. Even if it seems like evil and darkness are winning the day, Christ has already won as we will celebrate Easter Sunday! That doesn’t mean that we’re already living in the “Not Yet” - we still suffer and at times, that is God’s will even if we can’t fully understand it
17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
A God who provides hope in suffering? That’s the God that we all need - not the false god who takes suffering away… that’s a Romans 1 god of our own invention. The Biblical God uses evil and suffering for something good - look no further than the cross! We can trust in Him in the good and the bad, because He remains good and faithful. He has a purpose. He will hold us fast.