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Q8. WHAT IS GOD? (TRUTH)

Sermons on the Baptist Catechism

September 3, 2020 • Brett Baggett

ANSWER: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and TRUTH. (John 4:24; Ps. 147:5; Ps. 90:2; James 1:17; Rev. 4:8; Ps. 89:14; Exod. 34:6,7; 1 Tim. 1:17)

God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in TRUTH.

My aim is to give you six points of instruction and six points of application concerning God being infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in truth.

INTRUCTION

I. GOD IS TRUTH

JOHN FLAVAL: “[Truth] is an essential property of [God’s] nature, whereby He is perfectly faithful in Himself, and in all that He hath spoken.”


BOSTON: [God’s truth] is that perfection of His nature whereby He is faithful, and in Him there is no falsehood.”

Titus 1:2 “God…never lies.” Q. Why? A. Because He not only tells the truth but He Himself is truth.

Deuteronomy 32:4, “A God of faithfulness (truthfulness) and without iniquity, just and upright is he.”

God the Holy Spirit is called “The Spirit of truth”

John 14:17, 15:26, 16:33 “The Spirit of truth”

God the Son is called “the truth”

John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

THOMAS WATSON: “There is nothing true but what is in God or comes from God.”

THOMAS BOSTON: “All God’s works are true and real things, not chimeras or appearances. He executes true judgements, grants true deliverance, works true miracles; His mercies are true mercies, and His comforts are true comforts. He does not deceive or delude His people with vain shews and appearances.”

II. JESUS IS FULL OF TRUTH

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus says, “Truly” at least 30 times as He teaches, in the book of Matthew alone.

III. GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH

Psalm 18:30 “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 119:60 “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

I) God’s Historical narrative is true. II) God’s prophetic predictions are true. III) God’s commands are true. IV) God’s warnings are true. V) God’s promises are true.

IV. GOD’S TRUTH IS ETERNAL

Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his [truthfulness] to all generations.”

V. GOD’S TRUTH IS UNIVERSAL

John 17:17 “Your word is truth.”

VI. SINNERS SUPPRESS THE TRUTH

Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”

Q. Why is the wrath of God revealed from heaven against those that suppress the truth?

Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him…”

APPLICATION:

I. THERE WILL BE WRATH AND FURY FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH

Romans 2:8 “for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”

II. YOU MUST HEAR THE WORD OF TRUTH AND BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST

Ephesians 1:13 “In [Christ]…when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

Q. What is this “gospel of you salvation”?

Ephesians 1:7 “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”

III. IN CHRIST, YOU MUST KNOW THE TRUTH AND SO BE SET FREE FROM SIN

John 8:31-32 “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

IV. IN CHRIST, GOD SANCTIFIES YOU IN THE TRUTH

John 17:17 “sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.’

V. IN CHRIST, YOU MUST IMITATE GOD IN TRUTHFULNESS

Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor…”

FLAVAL: “Truth and sincerity of heart is that which is most suitable and pleasing to God.”

VI. IN CHRIST, THE PROMISES OF THE GOSPEL ARE AN ACHOR FOR YOUR SOUL, BECAUSE GOD IS TRUTH

Micah 7:19 “He will again have compassion on us;
    he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
    into the depths of the sea.”

God promised Abraham offspring and gave it because He is true.

Romans 4:20-21 “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. “

God promised meat and gave it because He is true.

Numbers 11:23 “And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

God promised Canaan and gave it because He is true.

Joshua 21:45 “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.”

God promised rest and fulfilled it because He is true.

1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant.”

God promised the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent and did it because He is true.

Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

In Christ, God has promised your justification has done it because He is true.

Romans 4:5 “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”

In Christ, God has promised your sanctification and is doing it because He is true.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”

In Christ, God has promised your glorification and will do it because He is true.

Romans 8:30 “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

In Christ, God has promised to never leave you nor forsake you and will uphold it because He is true.

Hebrews 13:5 “[God] has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

In Christ, God has promised to take you to be with Himself and will do it because He is true.

John 14:2-3 “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

In Christ, God has promised this eternal covenant and even swore an oath by Himself. He will not turn back because He is true.

Hebrews 6:19 “We have this (the truthfulness of God) as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.”

WHY USE CATECHISMS? Colossians 1:21-23

May 24, 2020 • Brett Baggett

Why use Catechisms? I. Because "[Jesus] has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard" (Colossians 1:21b-23a). II. The way to be stable and steadfast is to be properly instructed (catechized). Why is it crucial that we are properly instructed? I. If we do not continue in the faith, we reveal that we are not reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus (Colossians 1:21-23). II. We are commanded to grow up into the likeness of Jesus, no longer children tossed around by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-14). III. There are many who are catechizing you according to damnable heresies (2 Peter 2:3, 1 John 2:6; 4:1). IV. There are difficult doctrines “which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). V. Leaders must be raised who can “give instruction in sound doctrine and also confute those who contradict it” (Titus. 1:8). VI. “Such that are not settled in the faith can never suffer for it” — Thomas Watson. (see Mark 4:16-17). VII. The more instruction you drink, the more intoxicating joy you will have in Jesus—to know Him more is to love Him more (Psalm 16:11). VIII. The better instructed you are the better you will be able to instruct others. Being properly catechized will make you more useful in helping others be glad in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Q1. WHO IS THE FIRST AND BEST OF BEINGS?

May 27, 2020 • Brett Baggett

A. God is the first and best of beings. Q. WHY DOES THE CATECHISM BEGIN HERE, WITH GOD CLARIFIED AS THE FIRST AND BEST OF BEINGS? I. WE MUST BEGIN WHERE THE BIBLE BEGINS GENESIS 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." II. WE MUST BEGIN WHERE TRUE WISDOM BEGINS PROVERBS 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” PROVERBS 9:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” PSALM 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Stories are best begun in the beginning or confusion will abound. Foundations are best laid on the ground or everything will fall apart. So it is when we are seeking to be grounded in the faith—we must begin with God or confusion and crumbling may surely follow us all the days of our life. Q. What is God? A. God is the Creator and Sustainer of everyone and everything. (New City Catechism Q2) Q. WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD IS FIRST? A. First in Existence and Preeminence. I. FIRST IN EXISTENCE GENESIS 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." JOB 38:1-7 1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? PSALM 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” COLOSSIANS 1:16-17 “16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” REVELATION 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” II. FIRST IN EMINENCE PSALM ‭97:9‬ “For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” COLOSSIANS 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” See the sad state of all who do not honor God, the first and best of beings. ROMANS 1:21-23 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things ISAIAH 44:9-11 9 All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. 10 Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? 11 Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together. Q. WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD IS BEST? I. BEST IN GLORY AND GOODNESS PSALM 8 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! See the happy state of all who are reconciled to God by His Son Jesus Christ! The first and best of beings—Jesus Christ our Lord—was made a little lower than the angels. He debased himself in order to Redeem His bride. On the cross, the first and best of beings was treated like the last and worst of beings. Why? So that you could be cleansed of your filthy sin and clothed in the pure white robes of Christ. HEBREWS 2:9-11 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers. BENJAMIN KEACH (1640-1704) Originally from Buckinghamshire, Keach worked as a tailor during his early years. He was baptized at the age of 15 and began preaching at 18. He was the minister of the congregation at Winslow before moving in 1668 to the church at Horsleydown (Horse-lie-down), Southwark where he remained for 36 years as pastor (1668-1704). This congregation later became the New Park Street Church and then moved to the Metropolitan Tabernacle under the pastorship of Charles Spurgeon. Keach’s catechism was first published in 1693. For a brief biography of Keach, see http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/keach.benjamin.tbe.html For easy access to a digital copy of The Baptist Catechism, see http://www.ekklesiamuskogee.church/the-baptist-catechism/ To purchase a hard copy of The Baptist Catechism, see https://www.amazon.com/1689-baptist-confession-faith-catechism/dp/1599253771/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+baptist+catechism&qid=1590608161&sr=8-2 HERCULES COLLINS (1646/7-1702) For a brief biography of Collins, see https://founders.org/2012/07/12/baptists-and-1662-the-persecution-of-john-norcott-and-hercules-collins/ To purchase a hard copy of An Orthodox Catechism, see https://www.amazon.com/orthodox-catechism-hercules-collins/dp/0980217911/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=utf8&qid=1590608349&sr=8-1 For easy access to as digital copy of An Orthodox Catechism, see https://www.thecalvinist.net/etc/1680%20orthodox%20catechism%20(hercules%20collins).pdf

Q2. WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN?

June 3, 2020 • Brett Baggett

Q2. What is the chief end of man? A. Man's chief end is to glory God and to enjoy Him forever. Distinctions to be made concerning the glory of God: 1) Intrinsic glory. 2) Ascribed glory. The Intrinsic glory of God is like the Grand Canyon; ascribing glory to God is like giving others a helicopter ride through it to simply behold its beauty. The glory is there. You cannot add to it. You are but meant to show it! Or if you prefer, the glory of God is like the moon. It is huge and beautiful but it seems far away to we simple men. To glorify God is like helping others look through a telescope to see its bigness and beauty up close! WHY MUST WE GLORIFY GOD? I. Because it is the plain teaching of Scripture that this is why we exist. II. Because this is why all things exist. III. Because this is why Jesus purchased sinners on the cross. I. We must glorify God because it is the plain teaching of Scripture that this is why we exist. 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” - Watson: “The glory of God is the silver thread which must run through all our actions.” Philippians 1:20 “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” - Watson: “The glory we give God is nothing else but our lifting up His name in the world, and magnifying Him in the eyes of others.” II. We must glorify God because this is why all things exist. Colossians 1:16-18 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ... that in everything he might be preeminent.” III. We must glorify God because this is why He purchased sinners on the cross. 1 Peter 2:9 “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.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 “You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” - Those who know they were bought on the cross with the precious blood of Christ make it their aim to glorify that precious One whose blood was spilled for their sake! WHAT IS IT TO GLORIFY GOD? Watson: “To glorify God consists in four things: I. Appreciation. II. Adoration. III. Affection. IV. Subjection. This is the yearly rent we pay to the crown of heaven.” I. Appreciation (thought/prayer life). - Watson: “To glorify God is to set Him highest in our thoughts.” Psalm 97:9 “For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” - Watson: “To glorify God is to have God-admiring thoughts; to esteem Him most excellent, and search for diamonds in this rock only.” II. Adoration (worship). Psalm 29:1-2 “Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” III. Affection (love). Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” IV. Subjection (joyful obedience). 1 Corinthians 6:20 “You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "ENJOY HIM FOREVER"? Psalm 73:25-26 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Philippians 3:7-8 “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” Philippians 1:21, 23 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ... I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” HOW MAY WE MOST ENJOY GOD HERE AND NOW? I. Fellowship with Him through the scripture and prayer. II. Trust His promises. III. Fellowship with His saints. IV. Take, by faith, His Supper. V. Help others know Him and enjoy Him. VI. Enjoy Him by glorifying Him and glorify Him by enjoying Him.