THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE
These notes were prepared by Sergiy Kutovyy who is training at WEST and he delivered this at the 'Defence of Calvinism' conference in December 2008.
T - total depravity of man
As a consequence of the fall (Genesis 3), man is in a state of spiritual death and thus is unable naturally to appreciate or choose the things of God. Rom 3:9-11; 1 Cor 2:14; Ephes 2:1-3; 2 Tim 2:26; John 6:65.
U - unconditional election
God chose a particular people for Himself and destined them for glory. He chose them not according to their abilities or traits, but solely according to His sovereign will in grace. John 15:19; Acts 13:48; 1 Pet 2:9-10; Rom 9:10-16, 23; 11:2-5; 1 Cor 1:27-30a; Ephes 1:4-6, 11; 2 Thess 2:13.
L - limited atonement
The intention of the death of Christ was to redeem the genuine church of God, which consists of all His elect exclusively. So Jesus stood in their place, bearing the punishment and condemnation which they deserved. His blood atoned for their sins, securing their salvation once for all.
Matt 1:21b; John 10:14-15; Acts 20:28b; Ephes 5:25b; Heb 10:14; Rev 5:9.
I - irresistible grace
All God's elect are converted to Him through the ministry of His word and the inner calling of the Holy Spirit. So having been effectually drawn, they come to Christ for salvation.
John 6:37, 44; John 17:2; Acts 16:14; James 1:18; Gal 1:15; 2 Thess 2:14; 2 Tim 1:9.
P - perseverance of the saints
None whom God has accepted in Christ can either fully or finally fall from the state of grace, being faithfully preserved by His power. Still, they are exhorted to persevere in the faith, and work out their salvation, humbling themselves under the authority of Scripture, exercising the deeds of faith, and mortifying sin in body and spirit.
John 10:27-28; Rom 6:19b; 8:28-39; 1 Cor 10:12-13; Phil 1:6; 2:12-13; Col 2:8; 3:5; Jude 24.
"I have my own opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel if we do not preach justification by faith without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing unchangeable eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross." Charles H. Spurgeon
"I will go as far as Martin Luther, where he says, "If any man ascribes anything of salvation, even the very least thing, to the free will of man, he knows nothing of grace, and he has not learned Jesus Christ rightly." Charles H. Spurgeon
"All the passages in the Holy Scriptures that mention assistance are they that do away with "free-will", and these are countless... For grace is needed, and the help of grace is given, because "free-will" can do nothing." Martin Luther
"Let all the 'free-will' in the world do all it can with all its strength; it will never give rise to a single instance of ability to avoid being hardened if God does not give the Spirit, or of meriting mercy if it is left to its own strength." Martin Luther
"Rebellion against divine election is often founded on the idea that the sinner has a sort of right to be saved, and this is to deny the full desert of sin." Charles H. Spurgeon
"You must first deny the authenticity and full inspiration of the Holy Scripture before you can legitimately and truly deny election." Charles H. Spurgeon
"A redemption which pays a price, but does not ensure that which is purchased - a redemption which calls Christ a substitute for the sinner, but yet which allows the person to suffer - is altogether unworthy of our apprehensions of Almighty God. It offers no homage to his wisdom, and does despite to his covenant faithfulness. We could not and would not receive such a travesty of divine truth as that would be. There is no ground for any comfort whatever in it." Charles H. Spurgeon
"I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is not efficacious for anybody, except the will of men be added to it." Charles H. Spurgeon
"If Christ on His cross intended to save every man, then He intended to save those who were lost before He died. If the doctrine be true, that He died for all men, then He died for some who were in Hell before He came into this world, for doubtless there were even then myriads there who had been cast away because of their sins... That seems to me a conception a thousand times more repulsive than any of those consequences which are said to be associated with the Calvinistic and Christian doctrine of special and particular redemption. To think that my Savior died for men who were or are in Hell, seems a supposition too horrible for me to entertain." Charles H. Spurgeon
"We are often told that we limit the atonement of Christ, because we say that Christ has not made satisfaction for all men, or all men would be saved. Now, our reply to this is that, on the other hand, our opponents limit it, we do not. The Arminians say, Christ died for all men. Ask them what they mean by it. Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of all men? They say, "No, certainly not." We ask them the next question - Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of any man in particular? They say, "No." They are obliged to admit this if they are consistent. They say, "No; Christ has died so that any man may be saved if"- and then follow certain conditions of salvation. We say then, we will just go back to the old statement - Christ did not die so as beyond a doubt to secure the salvation of anybody, did He? You must say "No;" you are obliged to say so, for you believe that even after a man has been pardoned, he may yet fall from grace and perish. Now, who is it that limits the death of Christ? Why you... We say Christ so died that He infallibly secured the salvation of a multitude that no man can number, who through Christ's death not only may be saved, but are saved, must be saved, and cannot by any possibility run the hazard of being anything but saved. You are welcome to your atonement; you may keep it. We will never renounce ours for the sake of it." Charles H. Spurgeon
"When I was coming to Christ, I thought I was doing it all myself, and though I sought the Lord earnestly, I had no idea the Lord was seeking me. I do not think the young convert is at first aware of this. I can recall the very day and hour when first I received those truths in my own soul - when they were as John Bunyan says, burnt into my heart as with a hot iron; and I can recollect how I felt that I had grown all of a sudden from a babe into a man - that I had made progress in scriptural knowledge, through having found, once for all, the clue to the truth of God ... I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that He was the Author of my faith, and so the whole doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make this my constant confession, I ascribe my change wholly to God." Charles H. Spurgeon
"Repentance is a part of salvation, and when Christ saves us, he saves us by making us repent. But repentance does not save. It is the work of God alone." Charles H. Spurgeon
A genuine desire for salvation in Christ is in fact a mark of election, and therefore none who truly come to Him will be turned away.
"I believe that Christ came into the world not to put men into a salvable state, but into a saved state. Not to put them where they could save themselves, but to do the work in them and for them, from first to last. If I did not believe that there was might going forth with the word of Jesus which makes men willing, and which turns them from the error of their ways by the mighty, overwhelming, constraining force of divine influence, I should cease to glory in the cross of Christ." Charles H. Spurgeon
"I do not come into this pulpit hoping that perhaps somebody will of his own free will return to Christ. My hope lies in another quarter. I hope that my Master will lay hold of some of them and say, "You are mine, and you shall be mine. I claim you for myself." My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will." Charles H. Spurgeon
Rom 8:30. "Not others, therefore, but those whom He predestinated, them He also called; nor others, but those whom He so called, them He also justified; nor others, but those whom He predestinated, called, and justified, them He also glorified; assuredly to that end which has no end. Therefore God elected believers; but He chose them that they might be so, not because they were already so." St. Augustine, A Treatise on the Predestination of the Saints, Ch. 34
"It is no novelty, then, that I am preaching; no new doctrine. I love to proclaim these strong old doctrines that are called by nickname Calvinism, but which are truly and verily the revealed truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus. By this truth I make my pilgrimage into the past, and as I go, I see father after father, confessor after confessor, martyr after martyr, standing up to shake hands with me . . . Taking these things to be the standard of my faith, I see the land of the ancients peopled with my brethren; I behold multitudes who confess the same as I do, and acknowledge that this is the religion of God's own church." Charles H. Spurgeon
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
What is Calvinism?
What is Calvinism?
Three sections:
An Explanation about this conference and its purpose
A Brief exposition of Romans 16: 17-27.
What is Calvinism?
How did this conference come about?
The conference has come together by God’s grace: Explain about the influence and initiative of Sandi Sonteya.
Where did the conference title come from?
Answer:The autobiography of Spurgeon, volume 1, The Early Years, chapter 13 ‘A Defence of Calvinism’.
“We only use the term ‘Calvinism’ for shortness. That doctrine which is called ‘Calvinism’ did not spring from Calvin; we believe that it sprang from the great founder of all truth. Perhaps Calvin himself derived it mainly from the writing of Augustine. Augustine obtained his views, without doubt, through the Spirit of God, from the diligent study of the writings of Paul, and Paul received them of the Holy Ghost, from Jesus Christ the great founder of the Christian dispensation. We use the term then, not because we impute any extraordinary importance to Calvin’s having taught these doctrines. We would be just as willing to call them by any other name, if we could find one which would be better understood, and which on the whole would be as consistent with fact”- C.H.S
“The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, is the truth that I must preach to-day, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox’s gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again.” – C.H.S
‘The Reformed Church is Always Reforming’ Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676) from Utrecht and a delegate of the Synod of Dort (1618-19).
This is needed in every generation
It is difficult work
People do not like change, even though it means Sola Scriptura
A brief summary of church history from the Reformation, however church history spans 2000 years and the gospel springs from the heart of God the Father in eternity.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) and the 95 theses in Wittenberg on October 31st 1517. He was God’s vessel to begin the Reformation and to especially pioneer the recovery of the doctrine of justification by faith, total depravity and Augustine’s doctrine of salvation.
John Calvin (1509-64) and his reforming work in the city of Geneva. Calvin developed a full reformed systematic theology springing from biblical exposition. A pastor, theologian, church planter, reformer of the highest honour. Calvin’s model was a doctrine of the church and society that was replicated in Scotland, Holland, France, Hungary, England in part and later in the USA. Even today, Reformed churches are those who look to Calvin and Geneva in some measure as a prototype for reforming the church.
The second reformation in the seventeenth century. In the Netherlands there was the Synod of Dort to defend the gospel against Arminianism but there was also a need seen for further reformation. For example the Church of England was only half or partly reformed and the Puritans began to grow agitated and impatient.
The Reformed church is always reforming’ is a slogan very much needed in the 21st Century. We need a vibrant expression of Calvinism in our generation!!
Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
17 ¶ Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil.
20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 ¶ Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and [so do] Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.
24 [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]
25 ¶ Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,
26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, [leading] to obedience of faith;
27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.
1. The danger of false gospel’s (v 17-20)
§ Dissensions contrary to the teaching which you learned and turn away from them. The issue is doctrine and this is not a secondary issue to love. To love pure doctrine is to love God purely.
§ V18 Paul’s calls them slaves. Why? Their message is a slavery to sin and leads to legalism rather than freedom. They use smooth and flattering speech to deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting (naïve).
§ The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The true gospel of God in our hands crushes Satan’s false gospels and the slavery that follows.
2. The Importance of Relationship’s in the Gospel (the whole chapter but note v21-24)
§ Note the list of names
§ Timothy and other gospel workers= we need teamwork!
3. The Glory of God is the heart of the Gospel
· The purpose of the book of Romans in 1: 1 is ‘the Gospel of God’.
· Key doctrinal theme’s of this book is the Apostles’ doctrine.
· Benediction (blessing):V25 we are strengthened according to A. the gospel (my gospel), do we hold Paul’s gospel? B. The Preaching of Jesus Christ. C. This revelation is rooted in the OT Scriptures. D. Now it is being made known to all nations (a missionary vision)
· The question in missions = What is the content of the message we are delivering?
· V 26. This is all happening according to the command of the eternal God to bring about the obedience of faith (election and the church).
· To the only wise God be glory forevermore! The glory of God runs through Romans.
·
3. What is Calvinism?
A Definition of Calvinism: Spurgeon’s autobiography
A Nickname for the Biblical Gospel
CHS wrote in The Defence of Calvinism:
I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of Hid elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus such a gospel I abhor.
1. Calvinism is the doctrine of the church.
Spurgeon wrote: Calvinism is the gospel and nothing else. Is this true? The answer is yes but it is incomplete because Calvinism is a world view consumed with a God centred approach, Calvinism is also a doctrine of the church.
There is no such thing as Calvinism that is not concerned with the Re-formation (to the biblical plan) of the church.
Look at Luther, Calvin, Knox, The Netherlands, the English Reformers etc.
2. Calvinism is confessional
Explain the three confessions of faith in the English language.
3. Calvinism and the five points
Summary: A definition of Calvinism.
Calvinism is a doctrine of the church that looks to Calvin and Geneva as a model for the reformation of the church that needs to be applied in all ages.
Reform = a dictionary definition,
To improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put into a better form or condition.
To abolish abuse or malpractice in: reform the government.
To put an end to (a wrong). See synonyms at correct.
To cause (a person) to give up harmful or immoral practices; persuade to adopt a better way of life.
A Reformed gospel affirms the five points of Calvinism as agreed at the Synod of Dort and this requires a commitment to educate and train men to preach this gospel. A Reformed church holds to one of the historic confessions of faith as a joyful safeguard of the gospel for the saints to propagate through a reformed church.
Is there the need for church reform in the twenty-first century?
Three sections:
An Explanation about this conference and its purpose
A Brief exposition of Romans 16: 17-27.
What is Calvinism?
How did this conference come about?
The conference has come together by God’s grace: Explain about the influence and initiative of Sandi Sonteya.
Where did the conference title come from?
Answer:The autobiography of Spurgeon, volume 1, The Early Years, chapter 13 ‘A Defence of Calvinism’.
“We only use the term ‘Calvinism’ for shortness. That doctrine which is called ‘Calvinism’ did not spring from Calvin; we believe that it sprang from the great founder of all truth. Perhaps Calvin himself derived it mainly from the writing of Augustine. Augustine obtained his views, without doubt, through the Spirit of God, from the diligent study of the writings of Paul, and Paul received them of the Holy Ghost, from Jesus Christ the great founder of the Christian dispensation. We use the term then, not because we impute any extraordinary importance to Calvin’s having taught these doctrines. We would be just as willing to call them by any other name, if we could find one which would be better understood, and which on the whole would be as consistent with fact”- C.H.S
“The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, is the truth that I must preach to-day, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox’s gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again.” – C.H.S
‘The Reformed Church is Always Reforming’ Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676) from Utrecht and a delegate of the Synod of Dort (1618-19).
This is needed in every generation
It is difficult work
People do not like change, even though it means Sola Scriptura
A brief summary of church history from the Reformation, however church history spans 2000 years and the gospel springs from the heart of God the Father in eternity.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) and the 95 theses in Wittenberg on October 31st 1517. He was God’s vessel to begin the Reformation and to especially pioneer the recovery of the doctrine of justification by faith, total depravity and Augustine’s doctrine of salvation.
John Calvin (1509-64) and his reforming work in the city of Geneva. Calvin developed a full reformed systematic theology springing from biblical exposition. A pastor, theologian, church planter, reformer of the highest honour. Calvin’s model was a doctrine of the church and society that was replicated in Scotland, Holland, France, Hungary, England in part and later in the USA. Even today, Reformed churches are those who look to Calvin and Geneva in some measure as a prototype for reforming the church.
The second reformation in the seventeenth century. In the Netherlands there was the Synod of Dort to defend the gospel against Arminianism but there was also a need seen for further reformation. For example the Church of England was only half or partly reformed and the Puritans began to grow agitated and impatient.
The Reformed church is always reforming’ is a slogan very much needed in the 21st Century. We need a vibrant expression of Calvinism in our generation!!
Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
17 ¶ Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil.
20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 ¶ Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and [so do] Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.
24 [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]
25 ¶ Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,
26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, [leading] to obedience of faith;
27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.
1. The danger of false gospel’s (v 17-20)
§ Dissensions contrary to the teaching which you learned and turn away from them. The issue is doctrine and this is not a secondary issue to love. To love pure doctrine is to love God purely.
§ V18 Paul’s calls them slaves. Why? Their message is a slavery to sin and leads to legalism rather than freedom. They use smooth and flattering speech to deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting (naïve).
§ The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The true gospel of God in our hands crushes Satan’s false gospels and the slavery that follows.
2. The Importance of Relationship’s in the Gospel (the whole chapter but note v21-24)
§ Note the list of names
§ Timothy and other gospel workers= we need teamwork!
3. The Glory of God is the heart of the Gospel
· The purpose of the book of Romans in 1: 1 is ‘the Gospel of God’.
· Key doctrinal theme’s of this book is the Apostles’ doctrine.
· Benediction (blessing):V25 we are strengthened according to A. the gospel (my gospel), do we hold Paul’s gospel? B. The Preaching of Jesus Christ. C. This revelation is rooted in the OT Scriptures. D. Now it is being made known to all nations (a missionary vision)
· The question in missions = What is the content of the message we are delivering?
· V 26. This is all happening according to the command of the eternal God to bring about the obedience of faith (election and the church).
· To the only wise God be glory forevermore! The glory of God runs through Romans.
·
3. What is Calvinism?
A Definition of Calvinism: Spurgeon’s autobiography
A Nickname for the Biblical Gospel
CHS wrote in The Defence of Calvinism:
I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of Hid elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus such a gospel I abhor.
1. Calvinism is the doctrine of the church.
Spurgeon wrote: Calvinism is the gospel and nothing else. Is this true? The answer is yes but it is incomplete because Calvinism is a world view consumed with a God centred approach, Calvinism is also a doctrine of the church.
There is no such thing as Calvinism that is not concerned with the Re-formation (to the biblical plan) of the church.
Look at Luther, Calvin, Knox, The Netherlands, the English Reformers etc.
2. Calvinism is confessional
Explain the three confessions of faith in the English language.
3. Calvinism and the five points
Summary: A definition of Calvinism.
Calvinism is a doctrine of the church that looks to Calvin and Geneva as a model for the reformation of the church that needs to be applied in all ages.
Reform = a dictionary definition,
To improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put into a better form or condition.
To abolish abuse or malpractice in: reform the government.
To put an end to (a wrong). See synonyms at correct.
To cause (a person) to give up harmful or immoral practices; persuade to adopt a better way of life.
A Reformed gospel affirms the five points of Calvinism as agreed at the Synod of Dort and this requires a commitment to educate and train men to preach this gospel. A Reformed church holds to one of the historic confessions of faith as a joyful safeguard of the gospel for the saints to propagate through a reformed church.
Is there the need for church reform in the twenty-first century?
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Lessons from Calvin and Spurgeon
Lessons from Calvin and Spurgeon
Personal testimony of the influence that they have had on me, also John Owen, Bob Letham, Iain Murray’s writings, Stuart Olyott on preaching and John Bunyan.
Calvin and Spurgeon compliment each and bring out significant lessons.
John Calvin
‘Few Christian leaders have suffered quite so much misunderstanding as John Calvin. He has often been dismissed as a theologian without humanity. In fact the very reverse is much nearer the truth…he was a man of deep and lasting affection, passionately concerned for the cause of Christ in the world; a man who burned himself out for the gospel.
Biographical Sketch
In French Jean Cauvin, a man who was born and bred in France; born in 1509 in Noyon which is about 50 miles North-East of Paris.
An exceptionally bright child who ‘outstripped the others, thanks to his quick intelligence and excellent memory’.
Went to the University of Paris where he studied Latin and other subjects. He wanted to be a priest but he abandoned the idea and went to Orleans to study law, which he did with marked success.
He was converted somewhere between the age 20-25, and in page 19-20, Letters of John Calvin.
He became inflamed with an intense desire to make spiritual progress and he went to Strasbourg to seek seclusion for study. He had already written his first edition of the Institutes of Christian Religion and William Farel the leader of the reformation in Geneva came to see him. Farel said: “If he did not stay in Geneva, God would curse his peace.’ From this he came to share the ministry with Farel in Geneva. The Institutes is one of the greatest works of theology ever written and Calvin was about 26 when he completed it. It was written as a defence of the faith of reformed Christians, especially of those who were being persecuted.
Calvin was thrown headlong into full pastoral ministry by 1536 in Geneva, where the reformers aimed at the reformation of the church according to the Word of God. They drew up a confession of faith to be subscribed by all members of the churches and they said that those who did not sign it could not come to the Lord’s table for communion. This led to a crisis and the city council fathers forbad them to preach and on April 23rd and was ordered to leave the city. Calvin made his way to Strassbourg.
In Strasbourg he enjoyed a happy ministry and fellowship with Martin Bucer. This was a formative time of thinking, a place where he got married and wrote his commentary on Romans.
In October 1540 he was invited back to Geneva. When he entered the pulpit he carried on preaching where he had left off and continued expounding for the next 25 years.
On 27th May 1564 he passed to his eternal reward and buried without ceremony in an unmarked grave in a cemetery.
Lessons
He was very able in the original languages of Greek and Hebrew and this sets a good example of the importance of contact with the Bible languages.
He preached on 56 books of the Bible, verse by verse. A first class model of a Bible expositor who preached ‘out of the Scriptures’.
He also was a confessional preacher with a commitment to the French Confession of faith of 1559 with 40 detailed articles of the faith.
He had a clear systematic approach to truth which the Institutes demonstrate.
There is a need to preach on whole books of the Bible and to marry systematic and biblical theology.
He suffered much ill-health all of his life and yet his labours were almost beyond our comprehension. Colossians 1:29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
His preaching was pointed, direct and without waffle.
Calvin was a genius and we cannot copy him in that respect but we can copy his vision for the church. The connection between theology and law must not be forgotten as with Luther.
He was a pastor with a great letter writing ministry with an international vision.
He trained up other preachers. Hear the testimony of John Knox of his time in Geneva: It was ‘the most perfect school of Christ that ever was in the earth since the days of the apostles. In other places, I confess Christ to be truly preached; but manners and religion to be so sincerely reformed, I have not yet seen in any other place.’[1]
He pressed on regardless of continuous opposition and misunderstanding.
He is unduly blamed for the Michael Servetus affair who was tried and found guilty of heresy and publicly burned. However there was a blurring of responsibility between church and state.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Known as the ‘Prince of preachers’ and he was the greatest English preacher of the 19th Century.
A Biographical Sketch
Born in Kelvedon, Essex in June 19th 1834 and he was greatly influenced by his puritan pastor, Grand father. His father also was a pastor.
Spurgeon proved to be a genius and we cannot copy him in this also. However the background with which he was raised was one of principle according to Arnold Dallimore and when it comes to standing for principle, we must do so whatever the cost!
In December 1849 he was converted: read Dallimore p 18-19 and was baptised by immersion.
After a successful country pastorate in Waterbeach at the age of 17,he was called to a dwindling Calvinistic congregation in London, New Park Street Baptist Church.
He had a great body of systematic doctrine that under-girded his ministry from the beginning. Few have defended the doctrines of grace so powerfully.
Spurgeon was a thorough-going Calvinist marked by great evangelistic success. In London a great door was opened by the Lord: 1 Corinthians 16:9.
In 1855 he reprinted the 1689 Baptist Confession of faith and he believed this summarised the ‘faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3)’.
When they built the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Spurgeon had become the pastor of the largest congregation in the world. By the time he was 26 the congregation had grown from the 80 he first addressed to 6000 or more. When the foundation stone was laid on August 16th 1859 Spurgeon placed five things under it; The Bible, The Baptist Confession of Faith, The churches declaration of the deacons, Dr Rippon’s Hymn Book and a copy of the days proceedings.
His one personal hobby was scouting, buying and collecting second hand books until his personal library had more than ten thousand books.
He defended the doctrines of grace such as particular redemption, election, total depravity etc.
Membership in the church was never allowed to become a mere formality and members were given tickets to attend the communion service… membership was seen as something active and it was rigidly maintained and many new members were added and infrequent members added to the list.
He established a pastor’s college for training pastors, an orphanage, great literary labours and many other such things.
One of the key battles of his life that had to withstand so much controversy was the Down grade controversy.
January 31st 1892 he passed into glory.
Lessons
He held a clear system of Calvinistic belief that he believed was summarised in the 1689 Baptist Confession of faith.
He preached often from a single bible verse with a clear title and three clear points. His use of vivid illustrations, humour and lively preaching is an example to us all.
In his exegesis he sometimes could have learned lessons from Calvin’s thoroughness.
He trained pastors and he raised up new preachers and he saw this as vital.
In many ways he emulated the ministry of Calvin and George Whitefield.
He did not seem to have a clear succession plan for his ministry to be put in place after he died.
He saw the power of the printed page.
Final Words by Spurgeon after the downgrade: “Believe for great things of a great God. Remember whether you do so or not, great are your responsibilities. There was never a more restless time than now. What is being done today will affect the next centuries, unless the Lord should should very speedily come. I believe that, if we walk uprightly and decidedly before God at this time, we shall make the future of England bright with the gospel; but trimming now, and debasing doctrine now, will affect children yet unborn, generation after generation. Posterity must be considered. I do not look so much as what is to happen today, for these things relate to eternity. For my part, I am quite willing to eaten of dogs for the next fifty years; but the more distant future shall vindicate me. I have dealt honestly before the living God. My brother, do the same (Spurgeon, Addresses at the Pastor’s Conference, ‘The Preachers Power and the Conditions of Obtaining It’ in All Round Ministry).
[1] Philip Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House Company, 1931, repr. 1990), p 460n. 1. Knox cites this in a letter he wrote to his friend Locke, dated 9th December 1556.
Personal testimony of the influence that they have had on me, also John Owen, Bob Letham, Iain Murray’s writings, Stuart Olyott on preaching and John Bunyan.
Calvin and Spurgeon compliment each and bring out significant lessons.
John Calvin
‘Few Christian leaders have suffered quite so much misunderstanding as John Calvin. He has often been dismissed as a theologian without humanity. In fact the very reverse is much nearer the truth…he was a man of deep and lasting affection, passionately concerned for the cause of Christ in the world; a man who burned himself out for the gospel.
Biographical Sketch
In French Jean Cauvin, a man who was born and bred in France; born in 1509 in Noyon which is about 50 miles North-East of Paris.
An exceptionally bright child who ‘outstripped the others, thanks to his quick intelligence and excellent memory’.
Went to the University of Paris where he studied Latin and other subjects. He wanted to be a priest but he abandoned the idea and went to Orleans to study law, which he did with marked success.
He was converted somewhere between the age 20-25, and in page 19-20, Letters of John Calvin.
He became inflamed with an intense desire to make spiritual progress and he went to Strasbourg to seek seclusion for study. He had already written his first edition of the Institutes of Christian Religion and William Farel the leader of the reformation in Geneva came to see him. Farel said: “If he did not stay in Geneva, God would curse his peace.’ From this he came to share the ministry with Farel in Geneva. The Institutes is one of the greatest works of theology ever written and Calvin was about 26 when he completed it. It was written as a defence of the faith of reformed Christians, especially of those who were being persecuted.
Calvin was thrown headlong into full pastoral ministry by 1536 in Geneva, where the reformers aimed at the reformation of the church according to the Word of God. They drew up a confession of faith to be subscribed by all members of the churches and they said that those who did not sign it could not come to the Lord’s table for communion. This led to a crisis and the city council fathers forbad them to preach and on April 23rd and was ordered to leave the city. Calvin made his way to Strassbourg.
In Strasbourg he enjoyed a happy ministry and fellowship with Martin Bucer. This was a formative time of thinking, a place where he got married and wrote his commentary on Romans.
In October 1540 he was invited back to Geneva. When he entered the pulpit he carried on preaching where he had left off and continued expounding for the next 25 years.
On 27th May 1564 he passed to his eternal reward and buried without ceremony in an unmarked grave in a cemetery.
Lessons
He was very able in the original languages of Greek and Hebrew and this sets a good example of the importance of contact with the Bible languages.
He preached on 56 books of the Bible, verse by verse. A first class model of a Bible expositor who preached ‘out of the Scriptures’.
He also was a confessional preacher with a commitment to the French Confession of faith of 1559 with 40 detailed articles of the faith.
He had a clear systematic approach to truth which the Institutes demonstrate.
There is a need to preach on whole books of the Bible and to marry systematic and biblical theology.
He suffered much ill-health all of his life and yet his labours were almost beyond our comprehension. Colossians 1:29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
His preaching was pointed, direct and without waffle.
Calvin was a genius and we cannot copy him in that respect but we can copy his vision for the church. The connection between theology and law must not be forgotten as with Luther.
He was a pastor with a great letter writing ministry with an international vision.
He trained up other preachers. Hear the testimony of John Knox of his time in Geneva: It was ‘the most perfect school of Christ that ever was in the earth since the days of the apostles. In other places, I confess Christ to be truly preached; but manners and religion to be so sincerely reformed, I have not yet seen in any other place.’[1]
He pressed on regardless of continuous opposition and misunderstanding.
He is unduly blamed for the Michael Servetus affair who was tried and found guilty of heresy and publicly burned. However there was a blurring of responsibility between church and state.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Known as the ‘Prince of preachers’ and he was the greatest English preacher of the 19th Century.
A Biographical Sketch
Born in Kelvedon, Essex in June 19th 1834 and he was greatly influenced by his puritan pastor, Grand father. His father also was a pastor.
Spurgeon proved to be a genius and we cannot copy him in this also. However the background with which he was raised was one of principle according to Arnold Dallimore and when it comes to standing for principle, we must do so whatever the cost!
In December 1849 he was converted: read Dallimore p 18-19 and was baptised by immersion.
After a successful country pastorate in Waterbeach at the age of 17,he was called to a dwindling Calvinistic congregation in London, New Park Street Baptist Church.
He had a great body of systematic doctrine that under-girded his ministry from the beginning. Few have defended the doctrines of grace so powerfully.
Spurgeon was a thorough-going Calvinist marked by great evangelistic success. In London a great door was opened by the Lord: 1 Corinthians 16:9.
In 1855 he reprinted the 1689 Baptist Confession of faith and he believed this summarised the ‘faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3)’.
When they built the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Spurgeon had become the pastor of the largest congregation in the world. By the time he was 26 the congregation had grown from the 80 he first addressed to 6000 or more. When the foundation stone was laid on August 16th 1859 Spurgeon placed five things under it; The Bible, The Baptist Confession of Faith, The churches declaration of the deacons, Dr Rippon’s Hymn Book and a copy of the days proceedings.
His one personal hobby was scouting, buying and collecting second hand books until his personal library had more than ten thousand books.
He defended the doctrines of grace such as particular redemption, election, total depravity etc.
Membership in the church was never allowed to become a mere formality and members were given tickets to attend the communion service… membership was seen as something active and it was rigidly maintained and many new members were added and infrequent members added to the list.
He established a pastor’s college for training pastors, an orphanage, great literary labours and many other such things.
One of the key battles of his life that had to withstand so much controversy was the Down grade controversy.
January 31st 1892 he passed into glory.
Lessons
He held a clear system of Calvinistic belief that he believed was summarised in the 1689 Baptist Confession of faith.
He preached often from a single bible verse with a clear title and three clear points. His use of vivid illustrations, humour and lively preaching is an example to us all.
In his exegesis he sometimes could have learned lessons from Calvin’s thoroughness.
He trained pastors and he raised up new preachers and he saw this as vital.
In many ways he emulated the ministry of Calvin and George Whitefield.
He did not seem to have a clear succession plan for his ministry to be put in place after he died.
He saw the power of the printed page.
Final Words by Spurgeon after the downgrade: “Believe for great things of a great God. Remember whether you do so or not, great are your responsibilities. There was never a more restless time than now. What is being done today will affect the next centuries, unless the Lord should should very speedily come. I believe that, if we walk uprightly and decidedly before God at this time, we shall make the future of England bright with the gospel; but trimming now, and debasing doctrine now, will affect children yet unborn, generation after generation. Posterity must be considered. I do not look so much as what is to happen today, for these things relate to eternity. For my part, I am quite willing to eaten of dogs for the next fifty years; but the more distant future shall vindicate me. I have dealt honestly before the living God. My brother, do the same (Spurgeon, Addresses at the Pastor’s Conference, ‘The Preachers Power and the Conditions of Obtaining It’ in All Round Ministry).
[1] Philip Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House Company, 1931, repr. 1990), p 460n. 1. Knox cites this in a letter he wrote to his friend Locke, dated 9th December 1556.
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Preaching Feedback Form
Preaching Feedback: Did I preach a sermon that people will never forget?
1. The Importance of a Single Idea
· Was an unforgettable title used?
· Did the title communicate a single idea and did this shine through the whole sermon?
· Did the chosen text/passage fit with the intention of the single idea that was preached? Was the text relevant to the subject?
2. The Intended Meaning of the Text
· Was the wider context of the passage and its setting in relation to redemptive history made clear?
· Was the context of the passage given in relation to the rest of the book that it came from? Did the preacher understand the literary style of the book? Was the historical context and purpose of the book explained?
· Were other parts of Scripture understood in relation to the passage used (analogy of faith)?
3. A Clear Sermon Structure
· Was a natural and unforced structure used? Did it flow from the chosen text?
· How many points were used?
· Were clear headings used for each point? Did they harmonise with the title? Did you remember the points used?
4. Doctrines, Illustrations and Application
· Were doctrines correctly labelled and explained?
· Were easily understood and relevant, Biblical or contemporary Illustrations made for each point?
· Did the applications that were used for each point communicate a non-fuzzy way for putting the truths into action in real life?
5. Sermon Delivery: Connecting with your Audience
· Was your speech and delivery clear?
· Were your explanations simple? Could a ten year old child understand your sermon?
· Did you connect with your audience all the way through the sermon?
Thank you: Kevin Bidwell
1. The Importance of a Single Idea
· Was an unforgettable title used?
· Did the title communicate a single idea and did this shine through the whole sermon?
· Did the chosen text/passage fit with the intention of the single idea that was preached? Was the text relevant to the subject?
2. The Intended Meaning of the Text
· Was the wider context of the passage and its setting in relation to redemptive history made clear?
· Was the context of the passage given in relation to the rest of the book that it came from? Did the preacher understand the literary style of the book? Was the historical context and purpose of the book explained?
· Were other parts of Scripture understood in relation to the passage used (analogy of faith)?
3. A Clear Sermon Structure
· Was a natural and unforced structure used? Did it flow from the chosen text?
· How many points were used?
· Were clear headings used for each point? Did they harmonise with the title? Did you remember the points used?
4. Doctrines, Illustrations and Application
· Were doctrines correctly labelled and explained?
· Were easily understood and relevant, Biblical or contemporary Illustrations made for each point?
· Did the applications that were used for each point communicate a non-fuzzy way for putting the truths into action in real life?
5. Sermon Delivery: Connecting with your Audience
· Was your speech and delivery clear?
· Were your explanations simple? Could a ten year old child understand your sermon?
· Did you connect with your audience all the way through the sermon?
Thank you: Kevin Bidwell
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Why Does'nt God Sort out the Mess that the World is in?
“Why doesn't God do something about the mess the world is in?”
Point One: Personal testimony of my Granddad dying of cancer and praying with seeming no answer.
· A good question? Philiosophical. Four views of the world for a student, however it is quite subjective.
Point Two: Different views as to whether the ‘world is in a mess’.
A. Could not care less: Hedonism (Hedonism is the philosophy that pleasure is of ultimate importance, the most important pursuit. The name derives from the Greek word for "delight" (ἡδονισμός hēdonismos from ἡδονή hēdonē "pleasure",
B. The world is getting better: Political optimism, evolutionary development
· The 20th century began with great optimism, expecting world peace and prosperity. They claimed regarding the Titanic ‘Even God cannot sink this ship”.
C. The World is getting worse: environment, wars, greed, famine
The twentieth century and two world wars teach that the world seems to roll from one mess to the next with a ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality. She’ll be right unless the problems affect me personally.
WW1:1914-1918 with over 11million casualties
WW2: 1939-1945 with over 58 million casualties (Russia 25+ million, China 11+ million, Germany 7+ million, Poland 6+ million).
Idi Amin: Ugandan Military dictator 1971-79, his rule was characterized by human rights abuses, political repression, ethnic persecution, extrajudicial killings and the expulsion of Asians from Uganda. The number of people killed as a result of his regime is unknown: estimates from human rights groups range from 100,000 to 500,000.
The Killing Fields in Cambodia: The Kamher Rouge regime executed 200, 000 but as a result of their causing famine and disease 1.4-2.2 million died out of a population of about only 7 million.
Aids: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome where in 2007 AIDS is now a pandemic with 33+ million infected worldwide and killed about 2.1 million people of which 330k+ were children.
The Credit Crisis, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia….
George Santayana:
“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.
George Bernard Shaw:
We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.
D. The world has a problem called Sin and God is the answer.
True Christians should be sober as a result of their view of sin and the sinfulness of mankind.
Point 3: Sin explains the mess the world is in.
What is Sin? Romans 3: 13-15 (Not living for the glory of the Triune God)
Where did sin come from?
How does God view sin?
A new question: Why is the world not in more of a mess?
Point 4: Why Doesn’t God do something about the mess the world is in?
Answer: He has! These are historical facts and even ordinary shepherds saw him.
2000 years ago in Bethlehem
Luke 2:8 ¶ And in the same region there were [some] shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Sinless life
Pilate watched over the case and trial of Jesus and declared "I find no guilt in Him”.
Death, burial and resurrection
1Co 15:1 ¶ Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
8 and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
Personal Testimony at the University of Birmingham
Corrie Ten Boom: Illustration of the rug to explain the prisoner of war camp.
What is our response?
Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Point One: Personal testimony of my Granddad dying of cancer and praying with seeming no answer.
· A good question? Philiosophical. Four views of the world for a student, however it is quite subjective.
Point Two: Different views as to whether the ‘world is in a mess’.
A. Could not care less: Hedonism (Hedonism is the philosophy that pleasure is of ultimate importance, the most important pursuit. The name derives from the Greek word for "delight" (ἡδονισμός hēdonismos from ἡδονή hēdonē "pleasure",
B. The world is getting better: Political optimism, evolutionary development
· The 20th century began with great optimism, expecting world peace and prosperity. They claimed regarding the Titanic ‘Even God cannot sink this ship”.
C. The World is getting worse: environment, wars, greed, famine
The twentieth century and two world wars teach that the world seems to roll from one mess to the next with a ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality. She’ll be right unless the problems affect me personally.
WW1:1914-1918 with over 11million casualties
WW2: 1939-1945 with over 58 million casualties (Russia 25+ million, China 11+ million, Germany 7+ million, Poland 6+ million).
Idi Amin: Ugandan Military dictator 1971-79, his rule was characterized by human rights abuses, political repression, ethnic persecution, extrajudicial killings and the expulsion of Asians from Uganda. The number of people killed as a result of his regime is unknown: estimates from human rights groups range from 100,000 to 500,000.
The Killing Fields in Cambodia: The Kamher Rouge regime executed 200, 000 but as a result of their causing famine and disease 1.4-2.2 million died out of a population of about only 7 million.
Aids: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome where in 2007 AIDS is now a pandemic with 33+ million infected worldwide and killed about 2.1 million people of which 330k+ were children.
The Credit Crisis, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia….
George Santayana:
“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.
George Bernard Shaw:
We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.
D. The world has a problem called Sin and God is the answer.
True Christians should be sober as a result of their view of sin and the sinfulness of mankind.
Point 3: Sin explains the mess the world is in.
What is Sin? Romans 3: 13-15 (Not living for the glory of the Triune God)
Where did sin come from?
How does God view sin?
A new question: Why is the world not in more of a mess?
Point 4: Why Doesn’t God do something about the mess the world is in?
Answer: He has! These are historical facts and even ordinary shepherds saw him.
2000 years ago in Bethlehem
Luke 2:8 ¶ And in the same region there were [some] shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Sinless life
Pilate watched over the case and trial of Jesus and declared "I find no guilt in Him”.
Death, burial and resurrection
1Co 15:1 ¶ Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
8 and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
Personal Testimony at the University of Birmingham
Corrie Ten Boom: Illustration of the rug to explain the prisoner of war camp.
What is our response?
Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Preaching Sermons People Do Not Forget!
Preaching Seminar: Preaching sermons that people do not forget!
One of the highest compliments is when people come to you and say, “I will never forget that sermon that you preached on…” However all the glory must go to God because this can only happen by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is vital in an age of information overload!
Why some preaching is boring and irrelevant, and some dynamic and exciting?
Why do some preachers connect with their audience while others do not?
How can we avoid preaching forgettable sermons?
Stuart Olyott; ‘Our Lord was a preacher, our Lord was an evangelistic preacher, our Lord was more than a preacher’.
Phillips Brooks; ‘Preaching is truth through personality’.
Five stages involved in preaching unforgettable sermons
1. The Importance of a Single Idea
2. The Intended Meaning of the Text
3. A Clear Sermon Structure
4. Doctrines, Illustrations and Applications
5. Sermon Delivery: Connecting with your Audience
Introduction
· These communication skills can be used in many areas of life but our primary focus is preaching
· A Preaching definition: A public proclamation of the intended meaning of a specific Bible passage or text in a way that the audience understands.
· Example of Stuart Olyott’s genius for explanation: How would you explain this to a child?
· Other aspects not considered like the godly character of the messenger, training at seminary, different gospel ministries.
Our Lord was a Preacher
Mark 1:14 ¶ And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
1:35 And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there.
36 And Simon and his companions hunted for Him;
37 and they found Him, and *said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."
38 And He *said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, in order that I may preach there also; for that is what I came out for."
39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Questions:
1. The Importance of a Single Idea
Many forms of communication have recognised the significance of the use of a ‘single idea’ in communication.
Aim for a single idea in preaching.
How do we develop a single idea? Through praying and preparation we think ‘What do we believe God wants to speak to a certain group of people? This can come through a specific Bible passage or a specific theme that you then search the Bible to find an appropriate passage. For example missions.
· Develop a title that communicates that single idea
· Often take your title from the Bible passage you will be using
· Develop your structure around that single idea.
Here are some examples of sermons I preached on the Doulos to capture the use of a single idea:
· Romans 8: 12-13, The Indwelling of Sin and the Holy Spirit in the Life of Every Christian (Pentecost sermon)
· Luke11:22-31,Ravens and Lilies (Theme was not worrying about the future)
· John 10:27-30,The Sheep of His Hand, Christians cannot perish and lose their salvation
Consider some Bible passages and write down what is the main theme and what title you would give a sermon from that passage
· 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
· Revelation 1:12-20
· Genesis 12:1-9
Explain the importance of a good title, one that communicates a single idea and also frames your sermon content.
2. The Intended Meaning of the Text
There are two words that need defining to help us understand our aim when preparing a sermon to be preached.
Firstly a sermon must always be taken out of the Bible by the reading of a passage and explaining what this passage means; this is called expository preaching. We must preach out of the Bible and not about the Bible in a loose way.
Secondly we must aim for exegesis and avoid eisegesis. What is the difference between the two?
Eisegesis= reading into a Bible text what is not there. For example, the use of mystical ideas, allegorical ideas etc.
Exegesis= determining the intended meaning of a text.
Here are three principles that can help us to accurately understand a passage:
· The wider context of the passage and its setting in relation to redemptive history. Give the illustration of a tulip flower to explain redemptive history.
· The context of the passage in relation to the rest of the book that it comes from. What is the literary style of the book? What was the historical context and purpose of the book?
· What understanding do other parts of Scripture shed on this passage (analogy of faith)?
The aim is to discover what a passage is actually saying.
Consider three passages and try to determine what these passages are normally explained to be saying? Determine what you think they are actually saying?
· The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
· Hebrews 6:4-6
· The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
3. A Clear Sermon Structure
· A natural and unforced structure that flows from the chosen text (like unwrapping an orange, the segments cleave naturally)
· Three or four points (like a three legged stool or chair)
· Clear headings for each point (they summarise the main point)
Here are some exercises from the book of Ephesians; determine a clear sermon structure from these three passages with a clear sermon title and three headings.
· Ephesians 1: 3-14.
· Ephesians 2:1-10.
· Ephesians 5:21-6:4.
4. Doctrines, Illustrations and Applications
Now we move from the example of the human body with the skeleton in place to putting flesh on the bone. The substance of the sermon to be preached needs to include doctrines, illustrations and applications.
In the New Testament letters, especially the epistles doctrine always comes before application. For example in Ephesians Paul discusses gospel doctrine for about the first three chapters but then deals with applying this in the daily lives of first century Christians for the next three chapters. This is a good pattern for our sermons to follow.
John Owen (From page 93 of JI Packer’s Among God’s Giants)
“It would be an uncouth sermon that should be without doctrine and use”
Illustrations abound in the NT, especially in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. For example read Matthew chapter 5-7 and the Sermon on the Mount and note how many illustrations he uses with following applications. Make a list of the illustrations used and then make a list of contemporary items that could be used for sermons in the 21st Century.
· Doctrines correctly labelled and explained (like coat hangers)
· Biblical or contemporary Illustrations for each point
· Applications for each point that are non-fuzzy
Now go through the three Ephesian passages again and for the three headings you have used, identify the doctrines, illustrations and applications you could use. Discuss these in small groups.
5. Sermon Delivery: Connecting with your Audience
Well prepared sermons are greatly needed, especially ones that have been bathed in prayer. However a sermon only truly becomes a sermon when it is preached and Martyn Lloyd Jones often said that there are three people involved in the delivery of a sermon.
A. The Preacher
B. The attentively listening congregation
C. The Holy Spirit.
We must always pray for the help and power of the Holy Spirit, without which sermons will be lifeless and will not bear long term fruit.
Once I asked a man who had been training up preachers for decades to give me feedback on a sermon he heard me preach and he gave me a lesson to remember for a lifetime. He said that sometimes “I was more concerned in getting the sermon out that I had prepared than in getting the sermon across. Also that sometimes I connected with the congregation very well and other times I did not”. He explained that our aim must not be to simply give out what we have prepared but to ask ‘Am I connecting with my audience all the way through the sermon?’This is a valuable lesson for all of us.
Here are three questions to ask yourself before, during and after each sermon. Also do not be afraid to ask congregation members for feedback.
· Was your speech and delivery clear?
· Were your explanations simple? Could a ten year old child understand your sermon?
· Did you connect with your audience all the way through the sermon?
These three questions answered and applied honestly could transform most preachers and their preaching!
How do we close a meeting?
A song full of relevant Bible content related to the message and then a benediction taken from the NT. There are many but 2 Cor. 13:14 is most suitable for most occasions.
What about altar calls and forced responses?
Are they found in the NT? There is now problem in making yourself and others available for enquirers but not to demand a public show of hands or even worse to believe those who have responded are genuinely converted. Jesus said ‘By their fruits you shall know them’ and it takes time for fruit to grow and for others to know if a profession is genuine. However we must not sow scepticism concerning people’s profession of faith because we know of a certainty by the Holy Spirit that we are saved by the blood of Jesus.
In summary, there are been five main stages identified for preaching sermons that will not be forgotten. This goal may seem unattainable for many of us, but at least it is the right goal to prayerfully aim for. These stages are:
1. The Importance of a Single Idea
2. The Intended Meaning of the Text
3. A Clear Sermon Structure
4. Doctrines, Illustrations and Application
5. Sermon Delivery: Connecting with your Audience
Exhortation from Richard Baxter; ‘We must preach as a dying man to dying men and preach as if you would never preach again’.
W.H. Griffith Thomas on preaching; ‘Think yourself empty, read yourself full, write yourself clear, pray yourself keen, then into the pulpit and let yourself go’.
A time for questions…
Book recommendations
Preaching and Preachers Lloyd Jones
Puritans JI Packer
Puritans Lloyd Jones
To read any sermons by Lloyd Jones, Spurgeon, Calvin, Whitefield or Edwards.
The Reformed Pastor by Baxter
The Art of Prophesying by Perkins
Preaching Pure and Simple by Stuart Olyott
Ministering Like the Master by Stuart Olyott
One of the highest compliments is when people come to you and say, “I will never forget that sermon that you preached on…” However all the glory must go to God because this can only happen by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is vital in an age of information overload!
Why some preaching is boring and irrelevant, and some dynamic and exciting?
Why do some preachers connect with their audience while others do not?
How can we avoid preaching forgettable sermons?
Stuart Olyott; ‘Our Lord was a preacher, our Lord was an evangelistic preacher, our Lord was more than a preacher’.
Phillips Brooks; ‘Preaching is truth through personality’.
Five stages involved in preaching unforgettable sermons
1. The Importance of a Single Idea
2. The Intended Meaning of the Text
3. A Clear Sermon Structure
4. Doctrines, Illustrations and Applications
5. Sermon Delivery: Connecting with your Audience
Introduction
· These communication skills can be used in many areas of life but our primary focus is preaching
· A Preaching definition: A public proclamation of the intended meaning of a specific Bible passage or text in a way that the audience understands.
· Example of Stuart Olyott’s genius for explanation: How would you explain this to a child?
· Other aspects not considered like the godly character of the messenger, training at seminary, different gospel ministries.
Our Lord was a Preacher
Mark 1:14 ¶ And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
1:35 And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there.
36 And Simon and his companions hunted for Him;
37 and they found Him, and *said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."
38 And He *said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, in order that I may preach there also; for that is what I came out for."
39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Questions:
1. The Importance of a Single Idea
Many forms of communication have recognised the significance of the use of a ‘single idea’ in communication.
Aim for a single idea in preaching.
How do we develop a single idea? Through praying and preparation we think ‘What do we believe God wants to speak to a certain group of people? This can come through a specific Bible passage or a specific theme that you then search the Bible to find an appropriate passage. For example missions.
· Develop a title that communicates that single idea
· Often take your title from the Bible passage you will be using
· Develop your structure around that single idea.
Here are some examples of sermons I preached on the Doulos to capture the use of a single idea:
· Romans 8: 12-13, The Indwelling of Sin and the Holy Spirit in the Life of Every Christian (Pentecost sermon)
· Luke11:22-31,Ravens and Lilies (Theme was not worrying about the future)
· John 10:27-30,The Sheep of His Hand, Christians cannot perish and lose their salvation
Consider some Bible passages and write down what is the main theme and what title you would give a sermon from that passage
· 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
· Revelation 1:12-20
· Genesis 12:1-9
Explain the importance of a good title, one that communicates a single idea and also frames your sermon content.
2. The Intended Meaning of the Text
There are two words that need defining to help us understand our aim when preparing a sermon to be preached.
Firstly a sermon must always be taken out of the Bible by the reading of a passage and explaining what this passage means; this is called expository preaching. We must preach out of the Bible and not about the Bible in a loose way.
Secondly we must aim for exegesis and avoid eisegesis. What is the difference between the two?
Eisegesis= reading into a Bible text what is not there. For example, the use of mystical ideas, allegorical ideas etc.
Exegesis= determining the intended meaning of a text.
Here are three principles that can help us to accurately understand a passage:
· The wider context of the passage and its setting in relation to redemptive history. Give the illustration of a tulip flower to explain redemptive history.
· The context of the passage in relation to the rest of the book that it comes from. What is the literary style of the book? What was the historical context and purpose of the book?
· What understanding do other parts of Scripture shed on this passage (analogy of faith)?
The aim is to discover what a passage is actually saying.
Consider three passages and try to determine what these passages are normally explained to be saying? Determine what you think they are actually saying?
· The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
· Hebrews 6:4-6
· The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
3. A Clear Sermon Structure
· A natural and unforced structure that flows from the chosen text (like unwrapping an orange, the segments cleave naturally)
· Three or four points (like a three legged stool or chair)
· Clear headings for each point (they summarise the main point)
Here are some exercises from the book of Ephesians; determine a clear sermon structure from these three passages with a clear sermon title and three headings.
· Ephesians 1: 3-14.
· Ephesians 2:1-10.
· Ephesians 5:21-6:4.
4. Doctrines, Illustrations and Applications
Now we move from the example of the human body with the skeleton in place to putting flesh on the bone. The substance of the sermon to be preached needs to include doctrines, illustrations and applications.
In the New Testament letters, especially the epistles doctrine always comes before application. For example in Ephesians Paul discusses gospel doctrine for about the first three chapters but then deals with applying this in the daily lives of first century Christians for the next three chapters. This is a good pattern for our sermons to follow.
John Owen (From page 93 of JI Packer’s Among God’s Giants)
“It would be an uncouth sermon that should be without doctrine and use”
Illustrations abound in the NT, especially in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. For example read Matthew chapter 5-7 and the Sermon on the Mount and note how many illustrations he uses with following applications. Make a list of the illustrations used and then make a list of contemporary items that could be used for sermons in the 21st Century.
· Doctrines correctly labelled and explained (like coat hangers)
· Biblical or contemporary Illustrations for each point
· Applications for each point that are non-fuzzy
Now go through the three Ephesian passages again and for the three headings you have used, identify the doctrines, illustrations and applications you could use. Discuss these in small groups.
5. Sermon Delivery: Connecting with your Audience
Well prepared sermons are greatly needed, especially ones that have been bathed in prayer. However a sermon only truly becomes a sermon when it is preached and Martyn Lloyd Jones often said that there are three people involved in the delivery of a sermon.
A. The Preacher
B. The attentively listening congregation
C. The Holy Spirit.
We must always pray for the help and power of the Holy Spirit, without which sermons will be lifeless and will not bear long term fruit.
Once I asked a man who had been training up preachers for decades to give me feedback on a sermon he heard me preach and he gave me a lesson to remember for a lifetime. He said that sometimes “I was more concerned in getting the sermon out that I had prepared than in getting the sermon across. Also that sometimes I connected with the congregation very well and other times I did not”. He explained that our aim must not be to simply give out what we have prepared but to ask ‘Am I connecting with my audience all the way through the sermon?’This is a valuable lesson for all of us.
Here are three questions to ask yourself before, during and after each sermon. Also do not be afraid to ask congregation members for feedback.
· Was your speech and delivery clear?
· Were your explanations simple? Could a ten year old child understand your sermon?
· Did you connect with your audience all the way through the sermon?
These three questions answered and applied honestly could transform most preachers and their preaching!
How do we close a meeting?
A song full of relevant Bible content related to the message and then a benediction taken from the NT. There are many but 2 Cor. 13:14 is most suitable for most occasions.
What about altar calls and forced responses?
Are they found in the NT? There is now problem in making yourself and others available for enquirers but not to demand a public show of hands or even worse to believe those who have responded are genuinely converted. Jesus said ‘By their fruits you shall know them’ and it takes time for fruit to grow and for others to know if a profession is genuine. However we must not sow scepticism concerning people’s profession of faith because we know of a certainty by the Holy Spirit that we are saved by the blood of Jesus.
In summary, there are been five main stages identified for preaching sermons that will not be forgotten. This goal may seem unattainable for many of us, but at least it is the right goal to prayerfully aim for. These stages are:
1. The Importance of a Single Idea
2. The Intended Meaning of the Text
3. A Clear Sermon Structure
4. Doctrines, Illustrations and Application
5. Sermon Delivery: Connecting with your Audience
Exhortation from Richard Baxter; ‘We must preach as a dying man to dying men and preach as if you would never preach again’.
W.H. Griffith Thomas on preaching; ‘Think yourself empty, read yourself full, write yourself clear, pray yourself keen, then into the pulpit and let yourself go’.
A time for questions…
Book recommendations
Preaching and Preachers Lloyd Jones
Puritans JI Packer
Puritans Lloyd Jones
To read any sermons by Lloyd Jones, Spurgeon, Calvin, Whitefield or Edwards.
The Reformed Pastor by Baxter
The Art of Prophesying by Perkins
Preaching Pure and Simple by Stuart Olyott
Ministering Like the Master by Stuart Olyott
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Jesus and the New Covenant
Dear all,
Last Sunday night I preached in Bull Creek Presbyterian Church in Perth, Australia on 'Jesus and the New Covenant' and the sermon caan be listened to online. The link is:
http://www.wpcbc.net/church/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=140&Itemid=84
Search the site for the sermons section.
Enjoy!
Kevin
Last Sunday night I preached in Bull Creek Presbyterian Church in Perth, Australia on 'Jesus and the New Covenant' and the sermon caan be listened to online. The link is:
http://www.wpcbc.net/church/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=140&Itemid=84
Search the site for the sermons section.
Enjoy!
Kevin
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