Recent Sermons

(6/15/21) Two Gardens - Bible Study

June 15, 2021

A STUDY IN BIBLE INTERPRETATION: Two Gardens Passage: John 20:11-18 QUESTION: What are the different bible study methods you have been taught in the past? (Example: What to look for in the text, history, application?) QUESTION: What was the initial application these methods produced? (Example: How does this apply to my life today?) The Bible is one story that is unfolded through many different books. These books consist of all different kinds of genres (law, history, wisdom, poetry, narrative, epistles, prophecy, and apocalyptic literature). The different books and genres can seem disconnected and confusing at times. The most important key to biblical studies is that God is the primary author of the Bible. I know that might seem elementary, but it is important when we think about the flow of the Bible. Humans wrote down what they experienced, saw, or heard from God or angels. These words had purposes and meanings to the current audience, but what was written also played a role in the unfolding story of how God redeemed sinners. We at Grace Reformed believe the Bible is one story of how God fulfilled his promise to redeem underserving sinners from death. This story is unfolded by the various books and genres to explain in perfect detail the good news. Ephesians 1 is where we draw our understanding of seeing the bible as a historical story about redemption. Eph. 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Eph. 1:4 even as he chose us in him [key phrase] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love Eph. 1:5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, [key phrase] according to the purpose of his will, Eph. 1:6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Eph. 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Eph. 1:8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight Eph. 1:9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ Eph. 1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. We see from Paul that God determined before creation that he would adopt sinners to be his children. This was not in response to sinners, but “according to his purpose” (1:9). Passages like Ephesians one are helpful keys to help us unlock the bible’s purpose and flow. We see New Testament preachers use the Old Testament as proof that the message is about Jesus: Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. Jesus also taught that the Old Testament was the revelation of his coming to save sinners. Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. APPLICATION: When we look at scripture, we must always back out of the text and answer this one important question: How does this text fit with the purpose of the Bible? QUESTION: How does a Redemptive-Historic understanding help you now in studying the bible? QUESTION: How do you think viewing the flow of the bible in this way will help with confusion or complicated text? Let’s apply what we have learned about seeing the bible as the unfolding story of redemption to our text here in John 20:11-18. 1. There were two gardens. Man’s Fall occurred in the Garden of Eden—a place of intimate fellowship with God. After Adam and Eve disobeyed Him, the Lord cursed the ground and banished them from Paradise. On Resurrection Sunday, Christ appeared in a garden to remind us that now, because of His redemption, intimate fellowship with God is available again. Jesus reopened the doors to Eden. 2. There were two women. Sin entered the world when a serpent deceived the first woman, Eve. On Resurrection Sunday, after Christ had defeated Satan through His atoning death, Jesus appeared first to a woman—one who had previously been in bondage to Satan’s demons. Luke 8:2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Mary Magdalene is the New Testament counterpart to Eve. Her life reminds us that Jesus offers us total deliverance from the bondage of our past. The one woman was deceived, the other announced her rescue and deliverance. 3. There were two gardeners. In the story of the Fall, Eve and her husband, Adam, the tenders of Eden, rebelled against God after she was deceived. On Easter morning, Mary Magdalene met a man outside the tomb who she thought was a gardener. When she realized it was Jesus she exclaimed, “Rabboni!,” and began to embrace Him. The woman in the second story is with Christ, “the last http://adam...the second man” (1 Corinthians 15:45-47). We now have this promise: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). 4. There were two sets of angels. After Adam and Eve fell into sin, God posted the cherubim with the flaming sword east of Paradise to keep mankind out (see Genesis 3:24 . On Easter morning, two angels appeared in the garden, not to banish mankind from God’s presence but to invite us to behold the risen Messiah. QUESTION: What are your thoughts after walking through the text and seeing these connections John made about the story of redemption? Praise, Prayer and Confession: • What can you offer to the Father in praise? • What is a sin you need to confess? • What is a burden we can carry? • What can we take to our Father in prayer?

(10/12/21) James: Counting Trials as Joy

October 13, 2021

James – Gospel Motivated Love Counting Trials as Joy Passage: James 1:2-4 James 1:2 ¶ Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, James 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. QUESTION: What is the first thought that comes to mind when you read these verses? Let’s break this verse down into sections so we can fully understand James’s meaning. “Trials of various kinds” All trials, no matter the nature, should be applied. James knew they were suffering persecution (why they left Jerusalem), but he wanted them to understand that the lack of money and sickness (also known struggles in the church) should be seen as part of the application to his instructions. “when” Not if, but when. This is probably the “American dream” creeping into our theology. Subconsciously we believe that God’s design for our lives is to live happy, safe, successful lives while we await his return. After we leave earth, we will have NEW lives that are happy, safe, and successful. The difference? We just moved locations, upgraded neighborhoods to 123 streets of Gold, New Earth. WHEN suffering hits, we ask, “Why me, God?” We are so quick to forget we live in a world destined for destruction. The ship is sinking, and we keep asking for another cocktail to enjoy the sun. When the boat tips and our drink spills, we ask God why he would let that happen. 1Pet. 4:12-17 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1Th. 3:3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. Rom. 8:22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Rom. 8:23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. QUESTION: Why is it hard for us to see trials (any type of struggle) as something God would use to grow us as Christians? “joy” Yes, this does seem counterintuitive. It’s like the kid who smiles when he is sent to his room grounded for a month. Who does that? James is not telling them how they should FEEL, but how they should THINK. Joy in the bible is not an emotion of happiness. We know that joy can be held in sorrow because joy is not based upon circumstance or feelings. Joy, biblically, is grounded upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Joy comes from who God is and the promises attached to his power. Joy is always associated with realities that are outside of this world and its capacities. Don’t think of joy as one must be “happy” in a trial. That is weird. Even Jesus showed sorrow and was emotionally distraught when facing the cross. Why would James think we could do any different than Jesus? Heb. 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. What did Jesus connect joy to on the cross? Not the trial, not the suffering, but the outcome. He endured the cross because he knew what he was earning for us, our forgiveness and righteousness. Joy is our hope, not our happiness. QUESTION: Using the examples above, how else would you describe joy? “Count” “Count” is to be seen as an accounting term. As if there are two columns of life. What we would consider bad or good, debit or credit, sad and joy. James is saying, take every trial we may ever face and move them from the debit, bad, sad side of the line, and I see them as adding something to your life, something that is positive. What is it added? Perspective. Phil. 3:8 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 James continues in the next verse connecting our trials to our faith James 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Trials prove that your faith is not in vain. James is saying this: SEE! It is a good thing you put your faith outside of this circumstance. God is faithful. This trial proves anything outside of Jesus should not have our faith. Faith is not something we generate, but it is a gift that is given to us by the Father. Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Eph. 2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. God then uses the trials of life to prove to us time and time again that our faith that has been given to us can and should be trusted. Our faith is strengthened when life fails us, but God’s promises in Christ never fail us. Trials are almost always some kind of failure in this life. Health, wealth, government, relationship, personal struggles are all connected to this world. Faith points us outside of this world to Christ. Trials remind us that Jesus never fails us. We can have joy and full satisfaction while we wait for our new bodies and our new home with God. QUESTION: What trial could you use as an example of where God showed you how your faith was in something other than Christ? QUESTION: How can we encourage each other during a trial and not simply say, “You should have joy!”? Praise, Prayer, and Confession: • What can you offer to the Father in praise? • What is a sin you need to confess? • What is a burden we can carry? • What can we take to our Father in prayer?

Psalm 73:18-28 - Our Renewed Perspective (Eric Lokker)

June 4, 2023 • Eric Lokker • Psalm 73:18–28