False Christian teachings, trends….
In the Mp3 lesson of this post, R C Sproul teaches about the making of the Mosaic covenant, the 10 Commandments and the ceremonial law. He made the topics understandable and interesting. His closing definitions about symbols and types were very interesting, particularly explanations about how the tabernacle symbolized Christ….
The Got Questions’ article of this post explains how Old Testaments events can prefigure NT events, and how that is a kind of prophecy. I wanted readers to see that because it will aid in understanding R C Sproul’s discussion of the Mosaic covenant, part 2, which is my post for tomorrow. He closed his discussion on the law by explaining symbols and types.
The preacher begins by addressing the context of the epistle to the Hebrews, written to Jewish Christians who were becoming discouraged in their faith. He emphasizes the importance of prayer in the Christian life and highlights the difficulties that can arise when attempting to pray. …In conclusion, Dr. Lloyd-Jones exhorts his listeners to rely solely on Jesus Christ and His finished work for access to God in prayer, rather than on human efforts, rituals, or earthly intermediaries. [In the last third of the message, he compared the RCC to the old way that the Hebrews were also struggling with. His comparison helped me see another problem with such rituals and sensual stimuli: although MLJ likely preached this sermon in the 1950-60’s, protestants are still going back to Rome in our day; MLJ’s words might help such people see their error more clearly.]
In this post, R C Sproul provided an explanation of God’s plan of redemption via covenants. He explained how the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants are related and many significant facts about the formation of the nation of Israel. If you are trying to understand the plot of the Bible and God’s plan of redemption, then you must understand the covenants. Part 2 of the Mosaic covenant will explain the role of the decalogue…. [My purposes in presenting this material, are to help readers discover that the Old and New Testaments are intimately connected via covenants; and that the way of salvation since Genesis 3, has been by God’s grace through Christ; and that there has only ever been ONE people of God, as is stated in Ephesians. Many believe there are two people of God: Israel and the church, because of erroneous dispensationalist dogma that have thoroughly permeated this culture for the past 190 years.]
This post contains a message by R C Sproul about the covenant God made with Adam and Eve, from his series, Promise Keeper. I already used some of Sproul’s material to show how the Abrahamic covenant was foundational to the incarnation; but I want to emphasize that more by considering the creation covenant God made with Adam and Eve and also the Mosaic covenant. The overall goal of this series is to show that the biblical account of God’s plan of redemption is addressed to His one people; furthermore, that since Genesis 3, there has only been one way of salvation, by grace via the atoning work and imputed righteousness of Christ. That is, the idea that Israel could earn salvation by any other way is biblically wrong; the idea that Israel and the church are two people of God is biblically wrong.
In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:20 titled “Christmas and the Modern Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that the true meaning of Christmas is something that seems offensive, and even foolish, to the natural person. Today’s culture has missed the reason why God sent His Son to Earth in the first place; that is, to reconcile humanity back to Himself. This is the part of the gospel message that is offensive; the Christmas story makes one realize that they are helpless enough that they need a baby to come save them. Christmas is truly a miraculous story. A virgin gives birth to a boy who will save humanity from their sins. This message sounds like foolishness, yet this is the message that all must come to grips with and in hope believe that Jesus was the promised King who will redeem humanity.
“You can’t be a Christian without being aware of the fact that God is dealing with you, is concerned about you, is doing something to you. God’s got his hands upon you.” ―Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. …”To be a Christian means that we have had an experience of the grace of God; that is essential Christianity.” Diving into Mary’s Magnificat, we see the recounting of her response to God’s work; in a sense this was the first Christian experience. More than an amazement that she would have a child was the realization of what God was doing on a larger scale. Christianity is, “the life of God in the souls of men.” It is about what God does to us, not what we have done. The mark of a Christian is the experience of God’s grace, but this does not look exactly the same for everyone.
“The incarnation is the supreme example of fulfilled prophecy, or if you prefer it in a more experimental phrase, it is the supreme example of God’s faithfulness to his promises.” ―Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Luke 1:54-55 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” [This sermon explains the roots of the Christmas miracle of the incarnation of Jesus, Immanuel, who would save His people from their sins. The roots of this promise are found in the text of Genesis 3:15 and Genesis 12 covenant God made with Abraham. These things reveal an intimate connection between the testaments; that is, God’s plan of redemption via covenants runs across each testament binding them together, via the one-way of salvation through God’s grace in Christ.]
Some people have a hard time believing the promises made by Jesus because they were spoken about 2,000 years ago. But it’s important to remember that the birth of Christ itself fulfilled a promise made by God two millennia earlier. In this message, R.C. Sproul introduces us to a man named Abraham and to the covenant God made with him, showing that the Lord always keeps His promises and is never late in fulfilling them.
The purpose of this post is to present videos of Luke 1-3 and text, because therein listeners can hear about the covenant with Abraham (to be posted soon) and how it was the basis of the promises that Mary and Zacharias (the father of John the Baptist) spoke of when they praised the Lord. Luke 1-3 are included in this post because those chapters emphasize the fulfillment of this covenant and they also provide a genealogy of Jesus, which connects Him to Adam, Abraham and King David.