Shepherd School Season Two (WORD/GOSPEL/LAW)
training men to shepherd in the home, group, and church
WHY ARE WE DOING SHEPHERD SCHOOL? 2 Timothy 4:1-6
August 9, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 2 Timothy 2:1–6, 2 Timothy
Why are we doing Shepherd School? I. So that you would be strengthened by grace (v. 1) 2 Timothy 2:1 “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,” II. So that you would be taught the truth (v. 2a) 2 Timothy 2:2a “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,” III. So that you would be equipped to teach others (v. 2b) 2 Timothy 2:2b “who will be able to teach others also. IV. So that you would be a good soldier of Jesus Christ (v. 3) 2 Timothy 2:3 “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” V. So that you would please your King (v. 4) 2 Timothy 2:4 “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” VI. So that you would live your life according to the the rules and so be rewarded (v. 5) 2 Timothy 2:5 “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” VII. So that you would exhaust yourselves in planting and watering, and therefore most enjoy the fruit that God grows (v. 6) 2 Timothy 2:6 “It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.”
THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES (2021): 1 Thessalonians 2:13
August 16, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 1 Thessalonians 2:13
I. THE SCRIPTURES COME THROUGH MEN (v. 13a) 1 Thessalonians 2:13a “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us,” II. THE SCRIPTURES COME FROM GOD (v. 13b) 1 Thessalonians 2:13b “you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God,” III. THE SCRIPTURES WORK IN BELIEVERS (v. 13c) 1 Thessalonians 2:13c “which is at work in you believers.” IV. HOW THE WORD IS TO BE READ AND HEARD PREACHED Thomas Watson (1620-1686), in his book The Ten Commandments, has a sermon that seeks to answer the question, How is the word of God made effectual for salvation (justification and sanctification)? His answer is I) by reading the Word, and II) by hearing the Word preached. How the word of God may be read so as to be effectually working in us who believe: (1) That we may so read the Word that it may conduce effectually to our salvation, let us have a reverend esteem of every part of Scripture. (2) If we would have the written Word effectual to our souls, let us peruse it with "intenseness of mind." (3) If we would have the written Word effectual, we must bring faith to the reading of it; believe it to be the Word of the eternal Jehovah. (4) If we would have the written Word effectual to salvation, we must delight in it as our spiritual cordial (i.e. pleasant tasting medicine). (5) If we would have the Scripture effectual and saving, we must be sure, when we have read the Word, to hide it in our hearts. (6) If we would have the written Word effectual, let us labor not only to have the light of it in our heads—but its power in our hearts! (7) When we read the holy Scriptures—let us look up to God for a blessing. How the word of God preached may be heard so as to be effectually working in us who believe: (1) If you would have the Word preached effectual, give great attention to the Word preached. (2) If you would have the Word preached effectual, come with a holy appetite to the Word. (3) If you would have the preaching of the Word effectual, come to it with tenderness upon your heart. (4) If you would have the Word effectual, receive it with meekness. (5) If you would have the Word effectual, mingle the Word preached with faith. (6) If you would have the preaching of the Word effectual, be not only attentive in hearing—but retentive after hearing. (7) If you would have the preaching of the Word effectual, reduce your hearing to practice. (8) If you would have the Word effectual, beg of God that he will accompany his Word with his presence and blessing. (9) If you would have the Word effectual, if you would have the Word work effectually to your salvation, make it familiar to you.
THE NECESSITY OF THE SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 8:19-20
August 26, 2021 • Brett Baggett • Isaiah 8:19–20
DOCTRINE. The Scriptures are necessary for salvation, therefore those who heed them will be saved, and those who neglect them will be damned. I. YOU WILL BE TEMPTED BY THE FAITHLESS TO NEGLECT THE SCRIPTURES (v. 19a) II. YOU WILL BE TEMPTED TO LOOK OUTSIDE OF THE SCRIPTURES FOR SAVING TRUTH (v. 19b) I) Experiences and Feelings cannot reveal to you the truth that saves (Jeremiah 17:9). II) Worldly wisdom cannot reveal to you the truth that saves (1 Corinthians 1:20-21). III) Creation cannot reveal to you the truth that saves (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:19-20). III. YOU HAVE TO LOOK TO GOD HIMSELF FOR SAVING TRUTH (v. 19c) IV. YOU HAVE TO LOOK TO THE SCRIPTURES TO HEAR FROM GOD (v. 20a) V. IF YOU WILL NOT SPEAK ACCORDING TO THE SAVING TRUTH REVEALED IN THE SCRIPTURES ALONE, IT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO HELL (v. 20b) Therefore the Scriptures are more necessary for the soul than food and water are for the body.
HOW TO WRITE APPLICATION AND AN OUTLINE: Romans 3:21-26
September 11, 2023 • Brett Baggett • Romans 3:21–26
DOCTRINE. The gospel is the good news that God justifies sinners by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone, as revealed in the Scriptures alone. I. JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH ALONE WAS WAS PREACHED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, BUT THE FULL MANIFESTATION OF IT IS REVEALED IN CHRIST (Rom. 3:21-22a). Romans 3:21-22a “21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—22a the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” II. JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH ALONE IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION BECAUSE ALL HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD (Rom. 3:22b-23a). Romans 3:22b “22b For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” III. JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH ALONE IS A GIFT THAT GOD HIMSELF GIVES (Rom. 3:24a). Romans 3:24a “and are justified by his grace as a gift,” IV. JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH ALONE HAPPENS ONLY THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST ALONE (Rom. 3:24b). Romans 3:24b “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” V. JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH ALONE IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT PROPITIATION (Rom. 3:25a). Romans 3:25a “whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” VI. JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH ALONE WAS GIFTED TO OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVERS BASED ON WHAT CHRIST WOULD DO (Rom. 3:25b). Romans 3:25b “This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.” VII. JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH ALONE IS GIFTED TO NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVERS BASED ON WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE (Rom. 3:26). Romans 3:26 “It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
SANCTIFICATION IS A WORK OF GOD'S FREE GRACE: Philippians 2:12-13 - Shepherd School
October 2, 2023 • Brett Baggett • Philippians 2:12–13
DOCTRINE. Sanctification is a work of God’s free grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness (Q.39 in The Baptist Catechism).
