Great Doctrines

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BIBLIC AL LIFE DEVEL OPMENT ~ GRA CE CHUR CH OF DUPAGE IBLICAL EVELOPMENT RACE HURC
G R E A T D O C T R I N E S OF THE B
FOUNDATIONAL OUNDATIONAL TRUTHS RUTHS OF OF OUR UR GREAT REAT FAITH AITH
I B L E
~ A UTHORS ~
R ICHARD KERNS S COTT ARDA VANIS RDAV J AMES DOYLE R AY G LINSKI
Cover Photograph by Matt T abbut: Ancient Roman Columns ~ Jerash, Jor dan ~ 1999 Ta rd 1T imothy 3:15 ...I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, 1Timothy which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
G REA T D OCTRINES ~ P ART I ~ T HE B IBLE AND G OD REAT

S ECTION 1 S ECTION 2 S ECTION 3 S ECTION 4 S ECTION 5 S ECTION 6 S ECTION 7 S ECTION 8 S ECTION 9 S ECTION 10
TABLE OF CONTENTS
~ G O D C OMMUNICA T E S TO MA N OMMUNICAT ~ T H E B I B L E I S C OMPLETE ~ J E S U S C HRIST A N D T H E B I B L E ~ T H E T RIUNE G O D O F T H E B I B L E ~ T H E B E I N G A N D N ATURE O F G O D ~ T H E V I R G I N B I R T H A N D D U A L N ATURE O F G O D T H E S O N ~ TH E DE A T H O F J E S U S C HRIST AT ~ T H E R ESURRECTION O F J E S U S C HRIST ~ T H E P ERSON A N D W O R K O F T H E H O L Y S PIRIT LY ~ TH E HO L Y S PIRIT A N D T H E B ELIEVER LY
G REA T D OCTRINES ~ P ART II ~ M A N AND S AL VATION REAT ALV

S ECTION 11 ~ T H E B E I N G A N D N ATURE O F M A N S ECTION 12 ~ M A N S W I L L S ECTION 13 ~ E LECTION S ECTION 14 ~ T H E G OSPEL C A L L S ECTION 15 ~ R EGENERA TION EGENERAT S ECTION 16 ~ S AV I N G F A I T H S ECTION 17 ~ G O D L Y R EPENT ANCE LY EPENTANCE S ECTION 18 ~ J USTIFICA T I O N B Y FAITH USTIFICAT S ECTION 19 ~ A DOPTION I N T O T H E F A M I L Y O F GO D LY S ECTION 20 ~ E TERNAL S ECURITY A N D A SSURANCE
G REA T D OCTRINES ~ P ART III ~ S ANCTIFICA TION REAT ANCTIFICATION

S ECTION 21 ~ P OSITIONAL S ANCTIFICA TION ANCTIFICAT S ECTION 22 ~ P ROGRESSIVE S ANCTIFICA TION ANCTIFICAT S ECTION 23 ~ T H E P RESENCE O F I NDWELLING S I N S ECTION 24 ~ G O D S P ROVISION F O R I NDWELLING S I N S ECTION 25 ~ T H E S PIRITUAL D ISCIPLINES S ECTION 26 ~ P ERSEVERANCE A N D G LORIFICA TION LORIFICAT S ECTION 27 ~ S E P A R A T I O N PA AT S ECTION 28 ~ L EGALISM A N D L ICENSE S ECTION 29 ~ T H E B ELIEVER S U N I O N WITH C HRIST S ECTION 30 ~ W ORSHIP
G REA T D OCTRINES ~ P ART IV ~ T H E C HURCH AND E SCHA TOLOGY REAT SCHATOLOGY

S ECTION 31 ~ T H E N AT U R E O F T H E C HURCH S ECTION 32 ~ T H E P URPOSE O F T H E C HURCH S ECTION 33 ~ T H E S T R A TEGY O F T H E C HURCH ATEGY S ECTION 34 ~ M E T APHORS O F T H E C HURCH TAPHORS S ECTION 35 ~ T H E F UNCTION O F T H E C HURCH S ECTION 36 ~ T H E L EADERSHIP S R ESPONSIBILITY T O T H E C HURCH S ECTION 37 ~ T H E C H U R C H S R ESPONSIBILITY T O L EADERS S ECTION 38 ~ T H E C HURCH O RDINANCES S ECTION 39 ~ P ERSONAL E S C H A TOLOGY ATOLOGY S ECTION 40 ~ G ENERAL E S C H A TOLOGY ATOLOGY
G REAT DOCTRINES
P P A A
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T HE B IBLE
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D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 1 GO D COMMUNICA TES TO MA N OMMUNICATES
GOD COMMUNICATES TO MAN

Revelation, inspiration and illumination are the three distinct acts of God by which He communicated, recor ded and appraises His truths to recorded human beings.
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Daniel 2:1 6-23 2:16-23 2P eter 1:1 6-2 1 2Pe 1:16-2 6-21 1Cor int hians 2:7-1 6 1Corint inthians 2:7-16
Memory Verse
2Peter 1:20, 21
ut know this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one s own interpretation, ones for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD PART 1~SECTION 1 ~PAGE 1
S ECTION 1 GO D COMMUNICA TES TO MAN OMMUNICATES
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. Revelation ~ God unveils the truth

The act of God by which He directly communicated Truth to man. A. Personally ~ Exodus 33:11 ~ ...the LORD spoke to Moses face to face. B. V ia angels ~ Luke 1:26-31 ~ Via ...God sent the angel Gabriel... the angel said to [Mary] ... C. Via Christ ~ Hebrews 1:1-3 ~ God...after He spoke...in the prophets...in these last days has spoken to us in His Son. D. V ia dreams ~ Genesis 37:5-11 ~ Joseph had a dream ... Via E. V ia visions ~ Daniel 2:19 ~ Via The mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.
II. Inspiration ~ God records the truth

The act of God by which He, through certain men, recorded His revelation without error in the original autographs (manuscripts). A. The process ~ 2 Peter 1:21 ~ ...men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (NIV). (cf. Mark 12:36; Acts 28:25) B. The product ~ 2 Timothy 3:16 ~ All Scripture is God-breathed (theopneustos)... (NIV) C. The preservation ~ 1 Peter 1:23-25 ~ ...through the living and abiding word of God... (cf. Matthew 5:18 and 24:35; Psalm 12:6,7)
III. Illumination ~ God enlightens man

The act of God by which He enables man to understand His inspired revelation. A. God the Son did it ~ Luke 24:44-47 ~ [Jesus] opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:32; Acts 16:14) B. God the Spirit does it ~ 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 ~ We have ... the Spirit Who is from God, that we may understand... (cf. I John 2:20,27)
PART 1~SECTION 1~PAGE 2
GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 1 GO D COMMUNICA TES TO MA N OMMUNICATES
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
he Bible serves as the most inclusive of all avenues of Gods special revelation, for it encompasses the record of many aspects of the other avenues of special revelation (such as dreams, angels, events, prophets, visions, Jesus Christ, etc.). God undoubtedly gave other messages that were not recorded in the Bible, and even many things about the life of Christ are not contained in Scripture (John 21:25). But, the Bible does contain all of the information about Him and His plan that we need to know in order to be faithful to Him. It is accurate, progressive, and purposeful. he Scriptures reveal His divine power that has granted us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption of the world by lust. (2Peter 1:3,4). So the Bible is both the record of aspects of Gods special revelation and revelation itself.
Notes
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE:
Psalm 119:18 ~ Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.
HOMEWORK:
Read the Key Passages daily. Read Grudem Chapters 2 & 4.

S ECTION 1 GO D COMMUNICA TES TO MAN OMMUNICATES
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 2 TH E BIBLE I S COMPLETE
THE BIBLE IS COMPLETE

God s recor ded revelation to man consists of the 39 Gods recorded books of the Old T estament and the 27 books of the Testament New T estament, and is complete. Testament,
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DEUTER ON OMY 4:1-1 4 DEUTERON ONOMY 4:1-14 REVEL ATION 22:6 - 2 1 REVELA 21
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 4:2
ou shall not add to the wor d which I am word commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
PART 1~SECTION 2 ~PAGE 1
S ECTION 2 TH E BIBLE IS COMPLETE
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. The 39 books of the Old T estament are inspired ~ Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Testament
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you make keep the commandment of the Lord your God which I command you... Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it..
A. Internal affirmation of the OT

1. The Law: Deut. 9:10 ~The LORD gave me two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God; 2. The Prophets: Jeremiah 36:2 ~Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you... 3. The Psalms: 2Samuel 23:1-3 ~David... the man who was raised on high declares... the sweet psalmist of Israel, The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me...
B. Jesus affirmed the OT ~Luke 24:44,45 ~ ...the Law of Moses and the Prophets and
the Psalms must be fulfilled... the Scriptures.
C. Paul affirmed the OT ~Romans 15:4 ~ For whatever was written in earlier times was
written for our instruction, that through the perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
D. The NT s general affirmation of the OT ~ NT passages either quote or refer to the NTs
OT more than 300 times (i.e., Matt.4:4 quotes Deut. 8:3 ~ it is written)
II. The 27 books of the New T estament are inspired ~ John 17:14,17 ~ I have Testament
given them Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world...Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.
A. Jesus authorized the Apostles, through the Holy Spirit, to write the NT Scriptures ~
John 14:26, 16:13 ~ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit... He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you... the Spirit of truth... He will guide you into all truth...
B. Paul/Peter/Jude present Apostolic authority ~2Corinthians 12:12, 2Peter 3:2, Jude 17. C. The Apostles recognized/affirmed each other s Apostolic authority ~ others
2Peter 3:15,16~ ...our beloved brother Paul... wrote to you as also in all his letters... the rest of the Scriptures.
D. Paul used the OT and NT with the same authority ~ 1Timothy 5:18 ~ Paul
quotes from Luke 10:7 and Deut. 25:4, and calls both Scripture
III. God s recorded revelation is complete ~ The Holy Spirit guided the early Gods
church to assemble the list of books accepted as Gods recorded revelation; a.k.a. the Canon. The early church applied strict criteria to determine whether writings were inspired: 1. 2. 3. 4. PART 1~SECTION 2 ~PAGE 2 It must have been written by or approved by an Apostle. It must present sound doctrine, not contradicting other writings ~ Gal. 1:8,9 It must be accepted by all churches. The Holy Spirit must confirm the writing is inspired ~ 1John 2:20,27 GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 2 TH E BIBLE I S COMPLETE
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
s the Biblical record progresses from Sinai onward, we observe requirements for the writing and preservation of Gods words, and instructions for public recital. On the human side of the recording and preserving of divine revelation, there was a compelling factor of the fear of God, eliminating any likelihood of deception or tampering with the Sacred Scriptures. As an example, The features of a human treaty included; the preamble, a historical prologue, stipulations for both sides, provisions for sacred deposit of the text and public reading, a list of divine witnesses, and promises for blessings/cursings. This covenantal document was then legally binding, and so also OT canonicity and authority were inherent in the nature of the material. The prophets voiced Gods legal complaint against the apostate nation, and referred to each others words as authorized additions to the Law ( Thus saith the LORD..). Those directly responsible for collection and canonization of the Hebrew Scriptures believed that every word was inspired, and they needed only to certify those accredited as prophets.
he early believers had the unquestioned authority of Christ, and they recognized Him as both Lord and Messiah. Pauls letters show the words of the Lord used as an early canon, and these sayings of the Lord mostly correspond to the Gospels. The canonical status of the Lords words produced the need for collections of His utterances and such collections required careful verification and regulation (Luke 1:1-4). The Apostles were chosen to be with Him and they provided the interpretation of His Person and work. And because of the promise and work of the Holy Spirit, they did not have to rely on unaided memories from their intimate companionship with Christ.
he result of all this is that we have an account of all the truth that God has for us in this life.
Psalm 19:14 ~ Let the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, 0 Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
HOMEWORK:
Read the Key Passages daily. Read Grudem chapter 3.

S ECTION 2 TH E BIBLE I S COMPLETE
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S ECTION 3 JESUS CHRIST AND TH E BIBLE
JESUS CHRIST AND THE BIBLE

The authority of God s inspired revelation Gods (the written wor d) was affirmed by Jesus word) Christ (the Incarnate W or d) through His Wor ord) preaching and practice. MATTHEW 5:17-48 MATTHEW 4:1-11
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Memory Verse
Matthew 5:17-18
o not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away , away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law , Law, until all is accomplished.
GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD PART 1~SECTION 3~PAGE 1
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. The authority of the written word was affirmed by Christ s preaching I.The Christs
A. He declared it as the very words of God ~ Matt. 22:31,32 ~ ...have you not read that which was spoken to you by God... (cf. Ex. 3:6) B. He declared it to be the truth ~ John 17:17 ~ ...thy word is truth. C. He declared it to be eternal ~ Matt. 24:35 ~ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away. D. He declared that Biblical events were historical facts ~ The Creation ~ Mark 13:19; The Flood ~ Matt. 24:38,39; Jonah and the great fish ~ Matt. 12:40; and the destruction of Sodom ~ Luke 17:28,29. E. He declared and fulfilled it s prophecies ~ Luke 24:44 ~ ...all things written its about Me... must be fulfilled. (cf. John 5:39, 45-47)
II. The authority of the written word was affirmed by Christ s practice Christs
A. Jesus obeyed the written word: 1. the tax/ceremonial law ~ Matt 17:24-27 ~ Does your teacher not pay the 1.the two-drachma tax? He said, Yes... 2. Messianic prophecies ~ John 19:28 ~ ...Jesus...in order that the Scripture 2.Messianic might be fulfilled, said, I am thirsty. (cf. Luke 24:25-27) 3. The T en Commandments ~ Luke 2:51 ~ And He went down with them Ten 3.The [His parents]... and He continued in subjection to them... B. Jesus used the written word: 1. to resist temptation ~ Luke 4:1-13 ~ ...being tempted by the devil...Jesus 1.to answered and said to him, It is written, You shall worship the LORD and serve Him only... 2. to respond to testing ~ Matt. 22:29-33 ~ But Jesus answered and said to 2.to them, You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God. 3. to refute errors of tradition ~ Mark 7:8-13 ~ Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men...For Moses said, Honor your father and mother; ... but you say...
D OCTRINAL LESSON
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
hrists view of Scripture is clear for those that believe that the Gospels present a reliable account of His teaching. He treats the historical narratives as straightforward records of fact, and the force of His teachings often depend on their literal truth. He uses the teaching of the Old Testament as a court of appeal in matters of controversy in both doctrine and ethics. That this was His own standpoint and not some ad hominem stance adopted to accommodate His hearers is shown by His use of Scripture in countering the devil. That it was not a result of His human limitations is shown by His stress on Scripture after His resurrection. He treats the words of Scripture, even the smallest letter and the least stroke of a pen as inspired. He recognizes that the books have human writers, but to Him the author of Scripture is God Himself. This attestation of detailed verbal truth, coupled with historical and doctrinal truth, necessitates a doctrine of inerrancy in historical as well as doctrinal matters. To Christ, the Old Testament was true, authoritative, and inspired. To Him, what Scripture said, God said.
Notes
s the only begotten Son of God, there can be no doubt that He knew and understood the true nature of the Scriptures. It was He who said, Scripture cannot be broken and But if you do not believe [Moses] writings, how will you believe My words? The Lord Jesus seemed to make a point of approving and citing passages of Scripture which might seem particularly difficult for the natural man to accept regarding Old Testament occurrences and miracles. There is no doubt that Jesus Christ regarded the OT as completely and perfectly consisting of the Word of God. This being so, it is mandatory for all true Christians, professing as they do to follow Him as their Master and Lord, to believe as Christ did. As to the New Testament, He promised it would be written, and all these promises were fulfilled; the Holy Spirit came, guided the Apostles to remember His words, and led them into truth. We have assurance from Jesus Christ that the Bible is the written Word of God.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Since the Word became flesh and dwelt among us leaving us no doubt as to the authority of His inspired revelation, I, therefore, shall not live by bread alone, but on every word which proceeds from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem Chapter 5.

D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
PART 1~SECTION3 ~PAGE 4
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 4 TH E TRIUNE GO D O FT H E BIBLE
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THE TRIUNE GOD OF THE BIBLE

The one true God exists as three distinct Persons- the Father , the Son, and the Holy Spirit- who are equal in Father, essence, but differ in function; therefore, the Godhead is a Plural One
John 14 Isaiah 48:6-19
Memory Verse
2Corinthians 13:14
he grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
S ECTION 4 TH E TRIUNE GO D O F TH E BIBLE
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. There is one true God ~ John 17:3 ~ ...that they may know Thee, the
only true God... A. God is One ~ Deuteronomy 6:4 ~ Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! (cf. Mk 12:29; Gal. 3:20; 1Tim. 2:5; James 2:19) B. The LORD alone is God ~ Isaiah 44:6-8 ~ ...I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me... (cf. Is. 45:5-7; 46:8-11; Ps. 86:8-10)
II. God exists as three distinct Persons of the same Divine essence ~
Acts 2:32-35 ~ This Jesus God raised... exalted to the right hand of God, and... received... the promise of the Holy Spirit, ... A. The Father is God ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3 ~ ...the God and Father... Father of mercies and God of all comfort. (cf. John 6:27; 44-46; Rom. 1:7; 1Pet. 1:2) B. The Son is God ~ Hebrews 1:8 ~ ...of the Son, Thy throne, O God, is forever. (cf. Is. 1:6; John 5:18; John 10:30-38; Phil. 2:6-11; Titus 2:13; Acts 20:28; 1Tim. 3:16) C. The Holy Spirit is God ~ Acts 5:3,4 ~ ...lie to the Holy Spirit... lie to God. (cf. 2Cor. 3:18; Heb. 9:14; Acts 28:25,26)
III. The three Persons of the Godhead differ in function ~ Ephesians 1:2-14
A. The Father determines the will of the Godhead ~ vv. 2-6 ~ ...God our Father... chose us in Him according to ... His will ... (cf. Matt. 6:10) B. The Son was sent to do the will of the Father ~ vv. 7-12 ~ In Him we have redemption... forgiveness... according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him... (cf. Heb. 10:6; John 5:36; John 8:28,29) C. The Holy Spirit proceeds forth to accomplish the will of the Godhead ~ vv. 13-14 ~ ... you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, ...with a view to the redemption of Gods own possession, ... (cf. John 15:26; 14:26; Gen. 1:1,2; 1Cor. 12:3-11; Zech. 4:6)
IV . The Godhead is a Plural One IV.

A. The Name of the one God is plural ~ Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7 ~ ...God[Elohim] ... Us... Our... B. Baptism is done acknowledging one God in three Persons ~ ~Matthew 28:19~ ...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit... C. The benediction of God is manifest to His people in the T rinity ~ Trinity 2Cor. 13:14 ~ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (cf. Num. 6:22-27, Isa 6:3)
PART 1~SECTION 4 ~PAGE 2 GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 4 TH E TRIUNE GO D O F TH E BIBLE
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
definition of the Trinity is not easy to construct. One of the best is that of B.B. Warfield, There is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three co-eternal and co-equal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence. The word Persons might be misleading as if there were three Individuals in the Godhead, but what other word would suffice? The word substance might be too materialistic, and some would prefer the term essence. And the word subsistence simply means necessary existence. herefore, the definition clearly asserts both oneness and threeness, and it carefully maintains the equality and eternality of the Three. The word Person guards against modalism and the phrase same in substance protects against tritheism. The whole undivided essence of God belongs equally to each of the three Persons.
Notes
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ohn 10:30: I and the Father are One, beautifully illustrates this balance between the diversity of the Persons and the unity of the essence. I and the Father are two Persons and the verb are is plural. But Christ said He and the Father are One, and one is neuter. That is, one in nature or essence. Thus the Lord distinguished Himself from the Father and yet claimed unity and equality with the Father. he concept of the Trinity also concerns the administration, management, and actions of the three Persons. The Father elects (1Pet.1:2), loves (John 3:16) and gives good gifts (James 1:17). The Son suffers (Mark 8:31), redeems (1Pet. 1:18), and upholds all things (Heb. 1:3). The Sprirt regenerates (Titus 3:5), energizes (Acts 1:8), and sanctifies (2Cor. 3:18).
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Praise God for being the Father who ordains, the Son who accomplishes, and the Spirit who applies. HOMEWORK:

S ECTION 4 TH E TRIUNE GO D TH E BIBLE
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
PART 1~SECTION4 ~PAGE 4
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 5 TH E BEING AND NATURE O F GO D
THE BEING AND NATURE OF GOD

God in essence is the self-existent, infinite, personal Spirit Whose inherent excellencies reveal His greatness and goodness.
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Psalm 89
Memory Verse
Exodus 34:6- 7
hen the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.
S ECTION 5 TH E BEING AND NATURE O F GO D
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. God in essence is Spirit ~ John 4:24 (cf. 2Cor. 3:17; Col. 1:15; 1Tim 1:17)
A. Self-existent ~ John 5:26 ~ ... for the Father has life in himself... (cf. Exodus 3:14; Ps. 36:9; Col. 1:16-17; Acts 17:22-31) B. Eternal ~ Psalm 90:2 ~ ... from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. (cf. Deut. 33:27; Rev. 1:4,8) C. Personal ~ He possesses: 1. intellect ~ 1Samuel 2:3 ~ ...For the Lord is a God of knowledge... (cf. Rom. ll:33; 1Cor. 2:11) 2. emotion ~ Gen. 6:6-7 ~ And the Lord was sorry that He made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. (cf. Judg. 10:7; 2Chr. 33:12-13) 3. will (volition) ~ Romans 9:14-19 ~ For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion... (cf. Matt. 6:10; 26:42; Acts 21:14; Eph. 1:9)
II. God inherently possesses infinite excellencies which reveal His...

A. Greatness: 1. Omnipotence (all powerful) ~ Jeremiah 32:17 ~ ... Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power... nothing is too difficult for Thee ... (cf. Gen. 18:14; Rev. 19:6) 2. Omniscience (all knowing) ~ Psalm 147:5 ~ Great is our Lord... His understanding is infinite. (cf. Job 37:16; 1John 3:20) 3. Omnipresence (in His fullness in all places at all times) ~ Jeremiah 23:23-24 Do I not fill the heavens and the earth? declares the Lord. (cf. Psalm 139; Heb. 4:13) 4. Immutability (unchangeable) ~ Malachi 3:6 ~ I the LORD do not change... (cf. 1Sam. 15:29; Ps. 102:25-27; Heb. 1:12) 5. Sovereignty (absolute rulership) ~ Isaiah 46:9-10 ~ ... For I am God and there is no other; ... there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning... saying My purpose will be established... (cf. Job 41:11; Ps. 135:6; Rom. 9:14-18; Eph. 1:11) B. Goodness: 1. Holiness/Purity (separation from evil) ~ Isaiah 6:1-3 ~ Holy, holy, holy is the Lord... (cf. Lev. 19:2; 1Pet. 1:15) 2. Righteousness/Justice (doing right, judging wrong ) ~ Psalm 89:14 ~ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne ... (cf. Gen. 18:25; Ezra 9:15; Ps. 119:137; 145:17) 3. Goodness/Mercy (benevolence toward everyone) ~ Psalm 145:9 ~ The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. (cf. Ps. 25:8; 103:10-14; Rom. 8:28-29) 4. Love/Grace (unmerited favor) ~ Ephesians 2:4-5 ~ ...because of His great love... (by grace you have been saved) ... (cf. Ps. 116:5; Rom. 5:8; 1Pet. 2:3)
PART 1~SECTION 5 ~PAGE 2 GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 5 TH E BEING AND NATURE O F GO D
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
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hile it is not possible to give a definition of God, it is possible to give a general description of His being. The Bible doesnt attempt to define God, but the nearest approach is found is Jesus statement God is spirit (John 4:24). This means that He is essentially spirit ~ so that all the qualities which belong to the perfect idea of spirit are necessarily found in Him ~ that He is a self-conscious and self-determining being.
he fact that He is spirit also involves His personality, for a spirit is an intelligent and moral being. The personality of God is clearly indicated in His intelligent and purposeful action in the world; and in the rational, moral, and religious nature of man. God is presented in Scripture as a personal God who comes and goes, with whom men can converse, whom they can trust, and who enters into their experiences and sustains them.
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od is distinguished from all His creatures by His infinite perfection. He possesses His being and virtues without any limitations or imperfection. He is not only boundless, but is exalted above all His creation with ineffable majesty.
e is not composed of different parts, but His essence is a singular essence. The being of God is not something that exists to which other attributes may be added; but rather the whole of His essence is in each one of His attributes. And the summation of all that God is - that is the glory of God.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Jeremiah 9:23-24 ~ Thus says the LORD, Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast about this, that he understands and knows Me...
HOMEWORK:

S ECTION 5 TH E BEING AND NATURE O F GO D
DOCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
PART 1~SECTION5~PAGE 4
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 6 G OD THE SON
THE VIRGIN BIRTH AND DUAL NATURE OF
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GOD THE SON

Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (ie. the Incarnation).He is thereby both a true Man without a sin nature and also completely God (ie. the Hypostatic Union).
Isaiah 7 :1 4 7:1 :14 Matt he w 1:1 8-25 Matthe hew 1:18-25 Philippians 2:5-1 1 2:5-11 colossians 1:1 3-20 1:13-20
Memory Verse
Matthew 1:23
ehold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son and they shall call His name Immanuel which translated means God with us.
S ECTION 6 GO D TH E SO N
DOCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin
A.prophesied ~ Genesis 3:15 ~ ... her seed ...(indicating no human father) Isaiah 7:14 ~... a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. B. fulfilled ~ Matthew 1:18-20 ~ ...Mary... was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit... Luke 1:34,35 ~ ...the Holy Spirit will come upon you... the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.
II. Jesus Christ is a Man without a sin nature

A. He is a Man ~ Romans 5:15 ~ ...reign in life through the one Man, Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:7 - ... being made in the likeness of men ... 1Timothy 2:5 - ... one Mediator ... the Man Christ Jesus. B. He is sinless ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21 ~ He made Him who knew no sin... Hebrews 4:15 - ... tempted as we are, yet without sin ... 1John 3:5 - ... in Him there is no sin.
III. Jesus Christ is fully God

A. John 1:1,14 ~ ...the Word was God ... the Word was made flesh ... B. Philippians 2:6 ~ Who being in very nature God... (NIV) C. Colossians 2:9 ~ ...in Him the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form. D. Hebrews 1:3 ~ He is... the exact representation of [Gods] nature ...
IV . In Jesus, Man and God are joined in a Hypostatic Union forever IV.
A. Jesus was descended from David AND the Son of God ~ (Romans 1:3,4) B. God the Son was and will forever be identifiable as Jesus the God-Man. (Acts 7:56; 1Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Revelation 5, 19)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 6 GO D TH E SO N
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
hile the Bible teaches that there is but a single Mediator between God and man, it represents this Mediator as having two distinct natures; the one divine and the other human. It is a great mystery of godliness ~ God manifested in the flesh (2Tim. 3:16) ~ that is beyond the comprehension of man. But if Christ is not both God and man, He cannot be our Mediator. He had to be one with the human race, in order to represent sinners in His redemptive work. Only such a truly human Mediator, who had experiential knowledge of the woes of mankind and rose superior to all temptations, could enter sympathetically into all the experiences, trials, and temptations of man. t the same time, He had to be a sinless man; for one who had forfeited His own life through sin surely could not atone for others. He had to be very God so that He could bring a perfect sacrifice of infinite value to bear the wrath of God and deliver us from the curse of the law.
Notes
herefore, the Mediator is but one person and that Person is the unchangeable Son of God. In the incarnation He did not change into a human person, nor did He adopt a human person; He simply assumed a human nature. The one divine person, who possessed a divine nature from eternity, assumed a human nature and now has both ~ He is the God-man. He is a single individual, but possesses all the essential qualities of both the divine and human natures.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Recognize and glory in the fact that we have a High Priest... ...Who has been tempted in every way just as we are ~ yet was without sin. ~ Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem, chapter 26.

S ECTION 6 GO D TH E SO N
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S ECTION 7 TH E DEA T H O F JESUS CHRIST EAT
7
T
THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST

The vicarious death of Jesus Christ was both propitiary and redemptive, thereby accomplishing the reconciliation of man to God.
Romans 5:6-1 1 5:6-11 Hebr ews 2:1 4-1 8 Hebre 2:14-1 4-18 1P eter 1:1 7-2 1 1Pe 1:17-2 7-21
Memory Verse
Hebrews 2:17
herefore, He had to be made like His bretheren in all things, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
S ECTION 7 TH E DE A T H O F JESUS CHRIST AT
DOCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. Jesus Christ s death was vicarious (to substitute for) Christs
A. He took man s sin ~ 2Corinthians 5:21 ~ ... He made Him who knew no sin mans to be sin on our behalf... (cf. Isaiah 53:6) B. He suffered man s punishment ~ Romans 5:8,9 ~ ...Christ died for us... we mans shall be saved from wrath... (cf. Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 27:50; 2Corinthians 5: 15)
II. Jesus Christ s death was propitiatory (to satisfy) ~ Christs Romans 3:24-25; 1John 2:2; 4:10
A. It satisfied God s wrath against sin ~ Hebrews 2:17 ~ ...to make propitiation Gods for the sins of the people... B. It paid the debt in full ~ Heb. 10:10-18 ~ ...He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time... (cf. Heb. 9:11-14, 25-28)
III. Jesus Christ s death was redemptive (to buy back) Christs
A. Man is a slave to sin ~ John 8:34 ~ ...everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (see also Genesis 4:7) B. Slavery to sin results in death ~ Romans 6:23~...the wages of sin is death... C. Jesus Christ bought us... 1. From the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13) 2. With His shed blood (1Peter 1:18,19) 3. And brought us from death to eternal life (Romans 6:16,22)
IV . Jesus Christ s death reconciles man to God (to bring together) ~ IV. Christs Colossians 1:21,22
A. Man was an enemy of God ~ Romans 5:10; Romans 8:7 B. Man now has peace with God ~ Romans 5:1 C. Man has been brought near to God by the blood of Christ ~ Ephesians 2:13
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S ECTION 7 TH E DEA T H O F JESUS CHRIST EAT
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
he death of Jesus Christ has been represented and is often regarded as something that was primarily intended to influence the sinner, to awaken his repentance, and thus to bring him back to God; but this is an entirely erroneous conception of it. In the case of the sinner, the death of Christ served to propitiate God and to regain His good favor by making amends for the sins committed. This means that the primary purpose of Christs death was to reconcile God to the sinner. The reconciled God justifies the sinner, and so operates in the believers heart by the Holy Spirit such that the believer lays aside his wickedness and enters into the fruits of redemption. hrists death was also vicarious. When man fell, he became a transgressor and owed God satisfaction. But a man could only atone for his own sin by suffering the penalty of sin eternally, which is in keeping with Gods justice. But God is also actuated by His love and compassion for the sinner. Instead of insisting on such personal atonement, He appointed a vicar (a substitute) in the Person of Jesus Christ to take mans place. Therefore, Christ propitiated for the sin of mankind and brought about an eternal redemption for man. Christs vicarious sacrificial death represents the highest form of mercy and leads to reconcilation and life everlasting.
Notes
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: I will faithfully carry out the ministry of reconciliation which has been committed to me. (2Corinthians 5:18-20)
HOMEWORK:

S ECTION 7 TH E DE A T H O F JESUS CHRIST AT
DOCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 8 T HE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

As the cornerstone of Biblical Christianity , Jesus Christianity, Christ s physical resurrection from the dead proved Christs His Deity and conquered death for mankind.
8
T
Luk e2 4:1-43 uke 24:1-43 1Cor int hians 1 5:1-32 1Corint inthians 15:1-32
Memory Verse
Romans 1:4
ho was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, accor ding to the spirit according of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lor d. Lord.
S ECTION 8 TH E RESURRECTIN O F JESUS CHRIST
DOCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. Jesus Christ s resurrection was... Christs

A. Prophesied to be physical ~ Matthew 20:18,19 ~ ...crucify Him... and He shall rise again.(cf. Psalm 16:10; John 2:18-22) B. V erified to be physical ~ Luke 24:39-43 ~ See My hands and My feet... flesh Verified and bones... I have... (cf. John 20:17, 27; 1Corinthians 15:3-8)
II. Jesus Christ s resurrection proved His Deity Christs

A. Romans 1:3,4 ~ ...declared the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead... (cf. Revelation 1:13-18) B. Acts 2:31-36 ~ ...this Jesus God raised up again... God has made Him both Lord and Christ... (cf. Philippians 2:8-11)
III. Jesus Christ s resurrection conquered death Christs

A. Man is subject to the reign and fear of death ~ Hebrews 9:27 ~ Just as it is destined for man to die once, and after that to face judgment... (NIV) (cf. Romans 5:17-21; Hebrews 2:14, 15) B. Christ has overcome death for those in Christ ~ 1Corinthians 15:20-23, 54-57 Christ has been raised from the dead... Death has been swallowed up in victory... (cf. Hosea 13:14; Isaiah 25:6-9)
IV . Jesus Christ s resurrection is the cornerstone of Biblical Christianity IV. Christs

A. 1Corinthians 15:3,4 ~ ...as of first importance... He was raised on the third day... B. 1Corinthians 15:12-19 ~ ... if Christ HAS NOT been raised, then ... 1. 2. 3. 4. all preaching and faith is in vain each believer is still in his sins those believers that have died are eternally lost believers are to be pitied more than all men
C. 1Corinthians 15:20-23 ~ Christ HAS been raised and therefore we WILL be raised also
PART 1~SECTION 8~PAGE 2 GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S ECTION 8 TH E RESURRECTIN O F JESUS CHRIST
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
f Christ did not rise from the dead then (1) He was a liar, because He predicted He would rise (Matt. 20:19); and (2) He would still be dead ~ so we wouldnt have a High Priest, Advocate, or Head for the church; and (3) there would be no Gospel ~ because we will not be raised from the dead either (1Cor. 15:20-23); and finally (4) our witness is false, our faith is meaningless, and our future is hopeless (1Cor. 15:13-19). We are of men to be most pitied ~ having placed our faith in a hoax.
owever, we know by eyewitness accounts of numerous appearances and an empty tomb that He rose from the dead three days after He was crucified. The Apostles and other early believers were so convinced of the resurrection that their entire lives were transformed and given to the propagation of the Gospel of Christ. The resurrection of Christ was an integral part of their Gospel presentations ~ Acts 2:24-36, 3:15-26, 5:29-32, 10:39-43, 13:27-39, 17:18+30-32. Therefore, the resurrection of Christ is central to Christianity; indeed, we even meet for worship on the day of the week that Christ rose from the dead!
hrist rose with a new kind of resurrection body, one that was physical ~ but yet was eternal and would never die again. After the resurrection, He could enter rooms with locked doors, appear and disappear at will, and apparently with no limitations. It was a truly glorified body as we see in Rev. 1:12-16. We also will have a resurrection similar to Christs (1Cor. 15:35-51, Phil. 3:20) at the end of this age.
C A
nd finally, Christs resurrection proved that He was a Prophet (Matt. 28:6), that He is the Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36), and most importantly that He is the Son of God (Rom. 1:4).
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Colossians 3:1-4 ~ Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above ... set your minds on things above, not on earthly things ... (NIV) HOMEWORK:

S ECTION 8 TH E RESURRECTIN OF JESUS CHRIST
DOCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 9 TH E PERSON AND WORK O F THE HO L Y SPIRIT LY
THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is the Divine Agent Who accomplishes the will of the Godhead.
9
T
John 1 6:7-1 5 16:7-1 6:7-15 Romans 8:1-1 7 8:1-17
Memory Verse
Romans 8:9
owever , you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if owever, indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD PART 1~SECTION 9~PAGE 1
S ECTION 9 TH E PERSON AND WORK O F THE HO L Y SPIRIT LY
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. The Holy Spirit is a Person
A. He is referred to by personal names and pronouns ~ John 15:26 ~ ...the Counselor... the Spirit... He... (NIV) (cf. John 14:26; 16:13,14) B. He has the attributes of personhood ~ 1. Intellect ~ 1Corinthians 2:10.11 ~ The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. (cf. Romans 8:27; Isaiah 11:2) 2. Emotions ~ Isaiah 63:10 ~ But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. (cf. Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 10:29) 3. Will ~ 1Corinthians 12:11 ~ ... the same Spirit ... distributing to each individually just as He wills. (cf. Acts 13:2,4; 16:6) C. He is like Christ ~ John 14:16 ~ ...another Helper... (another ~the Greek word is allos meaning another of the same kind) D. W e can fellowship with the Holy Spirit ~ II Cor 13:14 We
II. The Holy Spirit is the Divine Agent Who accomplishes the will of the Godhead
A. By creating ~ Genesis 1:2 ~ The Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. (cf. Psalm 104:30) B. By communicating ~ 1Corinthians 2:12, 13 ~ We have received... the Spirit who is from God that we might know... (cf. 2Peter 1:20,21) C. By convicting ~ John 16:7-11 ~ He will convict the world... D. By converting ~ John 3:5,6 ~ ... born of the Spirit... E. By comforting ~ John 14:16 ~ But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit... (NIV) F. By conforming ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18 ~ We ... are being transformed from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. G. By consummating ~ Romans 8:23 ~ Having the first fruits of the Spirit ... waiting eagerly for ... the redemption of our bodies. (cf. Romans 8:11)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 9 TH E PERSON AND WORK O F THE HO L Y SPIRIT LY
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
M T
any have labeled the 20th Century as the century of the Holy Spirit. The spread of Pentecostalism with its emphasis on the ministries and gifts of the Spirit and the blossoming of dispensationalism with its focus on the works of the Spirit are unique to this time period. On the opposite end, others have characterized the Spirit as simply the personification of Gods power or His presence ~ like saying that Satan is the personification of evil.
he Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Person, as He possesses the personal attributes of intelligence (Rom. 8:27), emotions (Eph. 4:30), and volition (1Cor. 12:11). In addition, His actions are the actions of a personal being ~ He teaches (John14:26), guides (John 16:13), convicts (John 16:8), performs miracles (Acts 8:39), and prays for us (Rom. 8:26). Mans responses to Him are also set forth as the actions we would have with another person. We can obey Him (Acts 10:19-31), lie to Him (Acts 5:3), resist Him (Acts 7:51), grieve Him (Eph. 4:30), blaspheme Him (Matt. 12:31), and insult Him (Heb. 10:29). Finally, He is addressed by the use of several personal names such as Counselor, Paraclete, Helper, and the pronoun He (John chapters 14 & 16). herefore, the Scriptures plainly teach that the Holy Spirit is a Person ~ the Third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is God ~ God the Spirit ~ as He did things only God could do. He was involved in the Virgin Birth of Christ (Luke 1:35), He was the Person Who inspired holy men to write the Canon (2Pet. 1:20,21), and He was involved in the creation of the world (Gen. 1:2).
e, as the children of God, are to subject ourselves to the Spirit of God that we might live faithfully as the people of God for the glory of God.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: 1Corinthians 6:19,20 - ... your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God ... Therefore, honor God with your body. (NIV) HOMEWORK:

SECTION 9 THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOL Y SPIRIT OLY
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 10 THE HOL Y SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER OLY
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER

The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are made manifest in believers as they are obediently filled with the Holy Spirit.
10
T I
1Cor int hians 1 2:4-1 8 1Corint inthians 12:4-1 2:4-18 Galatians 5:1 3-26 5:13-26 Ephesians 5:1 8-2 1 5:18-2 8-21
Memory Verse
Galatians 5:22,23
ut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy , peace, patience, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law . law.
S ECTION 10 TH E HO L Y SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER LY
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given
A. For the common good ~ 1Corinthians 12:7 B. Individually and specifically ~ 1Corinthians 12:8-11 C. As He determines ~ 1Corinthians 12:11,28 D. In Scripture ~ Romans 12:3-8; 1Corinthians 7:7; 12:8-10,28; Ephesians 4:11; 1Peter 4:10,11
II. The fruit of the Holy Spirit comes from

A. Abiding in Christ ~ John 15:1-8 B. Walking in the Spirit ~Galatians 5:16,25; Romans 8:4-14 C. Scripture ~ Galatians 5:22,23
III. The filling of the Holy Spirit ~ Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 3:16
A. Is being controlled / influenced / empowered / directed by the Holy Spirit B. Is commanded to be continual ~ Ephesians 5:18 ~ literal translation is be continually being filled with C. Results in fullness of Christian living ~ Ephesians 5:19-6:9
Distinctions between the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the filling with the Holy Spirit 1Corinthians 12:13 Ephesians 5:18, Colossians 3:16
Baptism
Occurs only once in each believers life Never happened before the day of Pentecost True of all believers at all times Cannot be undone Results in a POSITION Occurs when we are regenerated No prerequisite; not based on merit or deeds Not commanded PART 1~SECTION 10~PAGE 2
Filling
Is a repeated experience in a believers life Occurred in the OT as well Not continually experienced by all Can be lost or diminished Results in POWER Should occur throughout a believers life Dependent on a believers yieldedness Commanded in Scripture GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
SECTION 10 TH E HO L Y SPIRIT A N D T H E BELIEVER LY
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
O I
ne of the great comforts in the Christian life is that we, as individual believers, are indwelt by the Spirit of God; and this presence of the Spirit in us is the guarantee that God will one day fully redeem us and take us into glory. The Spirits presence in us is the reason that we can love God and other people as the Father has commanded us. t is the Spirit of God Who baptizes (immerses) us into the body of Christ, and He places us and uses us in the church body as He wills. So that, as we are filled with the Spirit and gifted by the Spirit and walking by the Spirit and sealed by the Spirit, then we can worship Him in the spirit and glorify Him in all that we do. We can then love and serve others in freedom ~ as we have been freed from our selfishness and self-serving sin. nother comfort is the fact that the Spirit empowers us, fills us, gifts us, and changes us so that we can walk in those good works which God prepared beforehand (Eph. 2:10) for us to fulfill. God has called Christians to be His people that He might purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:14). Therefore, as God has commissioned us to serve Him in a way that glorifies Him (Matt. 5:16), He also enables us, by His Holy Spirit, to accomplish His works ~ that everyone will recognize that our adequacy is from God.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Lord, help me to faithfully abide in You, for I know that apart from You I can do nothing. ~ John 15:5 HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem chapter 39.

S ECTION 10 TH E HO L Y SPIRIT A N D T H E BELIEVER LY
DOCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
G REAT TD OCTRINES GREA DOCTRINES

P P A A
II
R R
T T
M AAN N
A AN ND D
S AALLVVAAT TIIO ON N
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 11 TH E BE I N G A N D NAT U R E O F MA N
THE BEING AND NATURE OF MAN

God created man in His image, but Adam transgressed and brought the effects of inherent sinfulness upon the human race.
Genesis
11
C T I
2 and 3
Memory Verse
chap ter hapt
Genesis 3:22,23
hen the LORD GOD said, Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now , lest now, he stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever -- forever-- therefore, the LORD GOD sent him out of the gar den of Eden, to garden cultivate the ground from which he was taken.
GREAT DOCTRINES II ~ MAN AND SALVATION PART 2~SECTION 11~PAGE 1
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. God created man in His own image

A. personal ~ 1. Intellect~ Intellect~Genesis 2:19,20~...and the man gave names to all the animals... 2. Emotion~ Emotion~Genesis 2:23~ And the man said, This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh... 3. Will/V olition~ Will/Volition~ olition~Genesis 2: 17; 3:6~...but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat... and he ate... B. spiritual ~ 1. James 2:26~ 2:26~...the body without the spirit is dead...(cf. Ecclesiastes 12:7) 2. Zechariah 12:1~ 12:1~...the Lord... forms the spirit of man within him...(niv) (cf. Genesis 2:7)
II. Adam transgressed (the Fall)

A. God s command ~ Genesis 2: 16, 17~And the Lord God commanded the man, Gods saying,... but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat... B. Adam s sin ~ Genesis 3:6 ~ ... and he ate... Adams
III. The Fall brought the effects of inherent sinfulness upon the human race.
A. Immediate/Direct Effects on Man 1. Guilt/Shame ~ Genesis 3:7~ ... and they knew that they were naked... 1.Guilt/Shame 2. Fear ~ Genesis 3:8~ ... and the man and his wife hid themselves from the 2.Fear presence of theLord God ... 3. Discord ~ Genesis 3:12-16~ The woman whom Thou gavest... The serpent 3.Discord deceived me... your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you. 4. Toil/Suffering ~ Genesis 3: 16-19~ I will greatly increase your pain in 4.T childbirth... cursed be the ground ... in toil you shall eat of it ... 5. Separation from God ~ Genesis 3:22-24 ~ ...therefore the Lord God sent 5.Separation [Adam] out from the garden of Eden... 6. Spiritual Death ~ Genesis 2:17~ ...the day that you eat from it you shall 6.Spiritual surely die. 7. Physical Death ~ Genesis 5:5 ~ So all the days that Adam lived were 930 7.Physical years, and he died. B. Continual/Indirect Effects on Man 1. Man is inherently sinful ~ Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 2:1-3 2. Man chooses to sin ~ Genesis 6:5; Psalm 14: 1-3; John 3:19 3. Man cannot please God ~ Isaiah 64:6; Romans 8:7,8
PART 2~SECTION 11~PAGE 2 GREAT DOCTRINES II ~ MAN AND SALVATION
D OCTRINAL LESSON
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
he Bible affirms that all mankind is naturally under the guilt and power of sin, the reign of death, and the wrath of God. We received this awful state from Adam who was responsible for the original lapse from God and godliness into sin and lostness. God ordained Adam as the representative for all human posterity; and as our representative, Adam involved those whom he represented in the fruits of his personal action ~ just as a national leader involves his people in terrible consequences when he declares war. od set Adam in a state of happiness and promised to continue his posterity if he showed fidelity through obedience ~ specifically that he would not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree bore this name because the issue was whether Adam would let God tell him what was good and evil. So by eating, Adam said in effect that he would decide good and evil for himself, without reference to God. This anti-God, self-aggrandizing mindset became the moral nature of his descendants ~ along with guilt, the curse of pain and death, and expulsion from Eden.
G S
in is the universal deformity of human nature, as it affects every part of every person; and it expresses itself as an irrational, negative, and rebellious reaction to Gods commands. The root of sin is pride and enmity against God, and our sinful acts always involve thoughts, motives, and desires that express willful opposition to Gods law ~ as John said in his first epistle, sin is lawlessness. The term Total Depravity signifies this corruption of our moral and spiritual nature that is not total in degree, but in extent. It involves the inability to respond to God, and therefore constitutes a state of spiritual death.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Romans 7:24,25 ~ Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
HOMEWORK:
Read the central passage daily. Read Grudem Chapter 21&23.

GREAT DOCTRINES II ~ MAN AND SALVTION PART 2~SECTION 11 ~PAGE 3
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
GREAT DOCTRINES II ~ MAN AND SALVATION
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 12 MA N S WI L L
12
C T I
MANS WILL
Man s will operates in accor dance with his fallen Mans accordance nature, therefore he is unable to desire, seek or obey God; nor reform himself.
John 3:19-20, 5:39-40 Romans 3:10-18, 6:14-23, 8:5-8 James 1:13-15.

Memory Verse
Jeremiah 13:23
an the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopar d leopard change his spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.
S ECTION 12 MAN S WILL
DOCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. Man s nature is fallen (sinful) Mans

A. Jeremiah 17:9 ~ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked ... (NKJ) B. John 3:19 ~ ... men loved the darkness ... C. Ephesians 2:3 ~ ... by nature children of wrath.
II. Man s will operates in accordance with his fallen nature Mans
A. Genesis 6:5 ~ ... every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. B. Mark 7:21-23 ~ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts ... C. Romans 1:24-32 ~ ... in the sinful desires of their hearts... to shameful lusts... to a depraved mind... filled with every kind of wickedness... (NIV)
III. Man is unable to:

A. desire God God~ Galatians 5:17 ~ For the flesh sets it desire against the Spirit... B. seek God God~ Romans 3:10-12 ~ There is none who seeks for God... not even one.(cf. Psalm 14: 1-3) C. obey God God~ Romans 8:6-8 ~ For the mind set on the flesh is death... is hotstile toward God... does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so... D. reform himself himself~ Jeremiah 13:23 ~ Can the Etiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then can you also do good who are accostumed to do evil.
IV . Man seeks to fulfill his own wicked will IV.

A. Jude 18 ~ ... following after their own wicked lusts. B. Isaiah 53:6 ~ ... each of us has turned to his own way... ...but its end is the way of death.(Proverbs 14:12) C. James 1:13-15 ~ ... carried away and enticed by his own lust.
ree agency is the power to decide according to our character; ability is the power change our character by our volition. Free agency is affirmed by the Bible and our consciousness, but these two teach with equal explicitness that free ability or free will do not belong to fallen man. Free agency means that a man is free not only when his outward acts are determined by his will, but when his volitions are truly and properly his own; determined by nothing outside of himself but proceeding from his own views, feelings, and dispositions. Therefore, a mans decisions are the real, intelligent, and conscious expression of his character or what is in his mind. A man may be forced to do a thing against his will, but to say he can be forced to will against his will is a contradiction. A mans will may be determined by the strongest motive, but in every rational volition the man is influenced in his decision by something within himself ~ so that the volition is a revelation of what he himself truly is. n every volition, there are elements of rationality and spontaneous action. Wherever reason and self-determination or spontaneity are combined in an agent, he is free and responsible for his outward acts and his volitions. All desires, affections, or feelings which determine the will to act must have an object, and that object which excites the feelings must be discerned by the understanding. It is this that gives decisions their rational character and renders the determination of the will a rational action. ree agency also means that a mans will chooses the greatest apparent good, generally meaning that which produces happiness; it is not the greatest real good, but rather the greatest apparent good which determines the volition. e maintain that man is free, but we deny that mans will is free in the sense of being independent of reason, conscience, and feeling. A man cannot be independent of himself or any of his faculties independent of all the rest. A mans will is not determined by any law of necessity; it is not independent, indifferent, or self-determined, but it is determined by the preceding state of mind ~ so that man is free so long as his volitions are the conscious expression of his own mind and his activities are controlled by his own reason and feelings. Therefore, man is a responsible agent, because he is the author of his own acts, and because he is determined to act by nothing outside of himself ~ but by his own views, convictions, inclinations, feelings, and dispositions so that his acts are the true product of the man and really represent what he is.
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Titus 2:11,12 ~ But ...the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age... (NIV) HOMEWORK:

GREAT DOCTRINES II ~ MAN AND SALVATION PART 2~SECTION 12 ~PAGE 3
S ECTION 12 MAN S WILL
DOCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 1 3 EL E C T I O N
13
T I
ELECTION
Although all mankind deserves eternal condemnation, God chose some for salvation.
Romans
chapters
9 -11
Memory Verse
2 Thessalonians 2:13
od has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
S ECTION 13 ELECTION
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
I. Mankind deserves eternal condemnation
A. Because of Adam s sin~ Adams 1. Romans 5:18 ~ ... through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men... 2. 1 Corinthians 15:22 ~ For as in Adam all die ... B. Because each man sins~ 1. Romans 3:23 ~ For all have sinned ... 2. Romans 6:23 ~ ... the wages of sin is death ... 3. Hebrews 9:27 ~ ... it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. 4. Revelation 20: 14, 15 - And if anyones name was not found written in the book of life he was thrown into the lake of fire [the second death].
II. God chose some for salvation

A. Throughout History~ 1. Noah ~ Genesis 6:8 ~ ... found favor in the eyes of the Lord. 2. Abraham ~ Nehemiah 9:7 ~ ... The Lord God Who chose Abram ... 3. Paul ~ Galatians 1:15 ~ ... He Who had set me apart ... B. From all eternity ~ Ephesians 1:4 ~ ... He chose us in Him before the eternity~ foundation of the world. (cf. Jeremiah 31:3; Revelation 13:8) C. In His sovereignty~ John 1:13 ~ ...born not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (cf. John 15:16; Romans 9:6-18; Ephesians 1:5, 11) D. Graciously and mercifully~ Deuteronomy 7:6-8 ~ The Lord your God has chosen you... because the Lord loved you ... (cf. Ephesians 2:5, 8; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:29 [note: foreknew = foreloved] ) E. For His glory~ Ephesians 1:6 ~ ... to the praise of the glory of His grace ... (cf. Romans 9:23; 1 Peter 2:9)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SECTION 13 E LECTION
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
rom 2Thessalonians 2:13,14, we should all be bound to receive and acknowledge the truthfulness of the great and glorious doctrine of Gods ancient choice of His family. But there seems to be a prejudice in the human mind against this doctrine. Lay aside your prejudices; listen calmly and dispassionately and hear what the Scripture says. Concerning the truthfulness of the doctrine, GOD HAS CHOSEN you from the beginning for salvation; so that election is absolutely of God. Gods election is eternal, God has chosen you FROM THE BEGINNING for salvation, and Gods election is personal, God has CHOSEN YOU from the beginning for salvation. The great truth is always the Bible, but I will give you an extract from the old Baptist confession ~ Those of mankind that are predestined to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere grace and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto. Also, the people of God are called elect and in John 15:16 Jesus says, You did not choose Me, but I chose you..
hat are the true and legitimate tendencies concerning the doctrine of election? Election is one of the most stripping doctrines of all; taking away all trust in the flesh or all reliance upon anything except Jesus Christ ~ it is naked faith in Him that avails us of salvation, irrespective of works, although it is productive of them. And election should make the Christian bold and fearless. What cares he for man, if he is chosen of His Maker? Will he fear if all the world stand against him? He dwells in perfect peace, for he is in the secret place of the tabernacle of the Most High, in the great pavilion of the Almighty. Election will make us holy. Shall I sin after God has chosen Me? After such love? After so much lovingkindness and tender mercy? Nay, my God, since Thou has chosen me, I will love Thee and live for Thee.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Romans 11:33 ~ Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! (NIV) HOMEWORK:
Read the central passage daily. Read Grudem Chapter 32.

S ECTION 13 ELECTION
D OCTRINAL L ESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 1 4 TH E GO S P E L CA L L
14
C T I
THE GOSPEL CALL

God s call to salvation, proclaimed throughout the Gods world, is effective for the elect.
Romans 10:5-17 Matthew 11:25-30 Luke 14:16-35 John 16:7-15

Memory Verse
Romans 10:13,17
F S
or Whoever will call upon the name of the Lor d will Lord be saved.
o faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the wor d word
of Christ.
S E C T I O N 14 TH E GO S P E L CA L L
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. God s call to salvation - the Gospel Gods
A. Communicate the plan1. the PROBLEM ~ Romans 3:23 ~ ... all have sinned... 2. the PENALTY ~ Romans 6:23 ~ ... wages of sin is death... 3. the SOLUTION ~ Romans 5:8 ~ ... Christ died for us. 4. the RESPONSIBILITY ~ Romans 10:9-17 ~ ...call upon the name of the Lord. B. Command a response ~ 2Corinthians 6:2 ~ Behold Now is the day of salvation.(cf. Mark 1:15) C. Convey the promise ~ John 6:37 ~ ... the one who comes to Me, I will certainly not cast out. (cf. John 3:15) D. Compare the penalty ~ John 3:36 - ... he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (cf. 2Thessalonians 1:8, 9)
II. The Gospel is proclaimed throughout the world

A. God calls ~ Acts 17:30, 31 ~ God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent. B. Through men ~ Matthew 28:19 ~ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations ...(cf. Acts 1:8; Romans 10: 14) C. Throughout the world ~ Matthew 24:14 ~ ... this Gospel ... will be preached in the whole world ... to all the nations ... (cf. Mark 16:15)
III. The Gospel is effective for the elect

A. God calls the chosen ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14 ~ ...God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation... He called you through our Gospel... (cf. John 6:44; Romans 8:30) B. God calls personally ~ John 10:3, 4 ~ ...He calls His own sheep by name... the sheep follow Him ... (cf. Jeremiah 31:3; Galatians 1:15) C. God calls internally ~ Acts 16:14 ~ ...the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. (cf. Rom 10:8-10; John 16:7-15)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 1 4 TH E GO S P E L CA L L
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
rom the Westminster Confession of Faith, All those whom God has predestined to life, He is pleased ~ in His appointed and accepted time ~ effectually to call by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death (in which they are by nature) to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God ~ taking away their heart of stone and giving them a heart of flesh, renewing their wills and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ: yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace. Effectual calling is effectual because God effects exactly what He intends in the operation: the quickening of spiritually dead souls to spiritual life. Calling refers to the Holy Spirits inward and secret operation on the soul (John 16:7-15).
ods grace changes the heart or soul from something cold, lifeless, and stony into something living, pulsating, sanguine, and responsive. Gods call is made effectual by the Word and the Spirit; they are conjoined as two vital factors of regeneration. The effectual call is not an outward call of the gospel, but the inward call ~ the call that penetrates to and pierces the heart, quickening it to spiritual life. Hearing the gospel enlightens the mind, yet it does not awaken the soul until the Holy Spirit illumines and regenerates it. The move from ear to soul is made by the Holy Spirit. This move is what accomplishes Gods purpose of applying the benefits of Christs work to the elect. ods effectual call on the human soul derives from His omnipotence, the same power that called the world into existence out of nothing is now exercised in our redemption ~ so He calls us to saving faith out of nothing; calling us who have no spiritual virtue whatever. The effect of this inward calling on the sinner is real, effecting a real change. The sinner is now freed from the bondage of sin, receives a new disposition for the things of God, saving faith is worked in the heart, and the person becomes a new creature.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Romans 1:16 ~ I am not ashamed of the Gospel, it is the Power of God for Salvation... HOMEWORK:

S E C T I O N 14 TH E GO S P E L CA L L
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 15 RE G E N E R A TION AT
REGENERATION
Regeneration is the act of God whereby He imparts spiritual life to natural man.
15
T I
John 3:1-8 Ephesians 2:1-10 Colossians 2:11-15 Romans 8:5-11
Memory Verse
Ephesians 2:4,5
ut God, being rich in mercy , because of His great love mercy, with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)...
S ECTION 15 REGENERA TION EGENERAT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. Regeneration is an act of God which...
A. is internal~ Ezekiel 36:26, 27 ~ ... I will ... put a new spirit within you ... And I will put My Spirit within you ... (cf. Jeremiah 31:33; Acts 16:14) B. is inscrutable~ John 3:3-13 ~ The wind blows where it wishes ... so it is with everyone born of the Spirit C. is instantaneous~ 2 Corinthians 4:6 ~ For God, Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made His light shine in our hearts ... (NIV) (cf. Genesis 1:3) D. involves the Spirit~ Titus 3:5 ~ ... regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit ... (cf. John 3:5, 6) E. initiates spiritual growth ~ Eph 4:24 ~ ...put on the new man.
II. God imparts spiritual life to natural man

Before regeneration LIFE HEART MIND NATURE SPIRIT
dead in sins and trespasses Ephesians 2:1 desperately wicked and beyond cure Jeremiah 17:9 hostile toward God Romans 8:7, 8 children of wrath Ephesians 2:2, 3 unspiritual/natural Romans 7:14; Jude 19 Titus 1:15
At regeneration
God made you alive Colossians 2:13 God gave you a new heart Ezekiel 36:26 God gave you spiritual understanding 1Corinthians 2:15, 16 God made you a new creation 2Corinthians 5:17 God gave you a new spirit Ezekiel 36:26 God makes a good,clear conscience possible 1Tim. 1:5,19; 3:9
CONSCIENCE defiled
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 15 RE G E N E R A TION AT
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
egeneration is a concept which Jesus taught to Nicodemus to show him the real inwardness and the depth of the change that even a religious Jew must undergo to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus pictured that change (i.e. that regeneration) as being born-again, born from above. Regeneration is the work of God in which He renovates the human heart ~ the very core of our being ~ and implants a new principle of desire, purpose, and action; a new disposition that responds positively to the Gospel and the things of God. The concept was described in the Old Testament in Ezekiel 36, where God is pictured as cleansing from the pollution of sin and bestowing a new heart by putting His Spirit within them. Jesus point to Nicodemus was as follows; there is no exercise of faith in Christ, no repentance, and no true discipleship apart from the new birth, which was likened to a wind that blows where it wishes and makes its sound evident to all.
he usual context of regeneration is effectual calling, the confrontation with our Lords Gospel and the illumination to its truth and significance as the message from God to you. Regeneration is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit, Who raises the elect from among the spiritually dead to new life in Christ; it is the transition from spiritual death to spiritual life. The immediate fruit of regeneration is a conscious, intentional, active faith in Christ, while the long-term fruit is a life lived in obedience to God. As the mind is no longer hostile to God, but is spiritually alive and at peace with God, there is now the desire and Spirit-filled ability to accomplish the things of God.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Ephesians 2:4, 5 ~ But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions... (NIV) HOMEWORK:

S ECTION 15 REGENERA TION EGENERAT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 16 SAV I N G FA I T H
SAVING FAITH
Faith (belief), which is a gift of God, is regenerate man s willing response to the Gospel s call to trust in mans Gospels Jesus Christ for salvation.
16
T I
John 3:14-21 Romans 10:8-17 Hebrews 11:1 - 12:2 I John 4:12-16

Memory Verse
John 20:30+31
any other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
S E C T I O N 16 SAV I N G FA I T H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. Faith is a gift
A. Of God~ Philippians 1:29 ~ For to you it has been granted ... to believe in Him... (cf. Matthew 16:16, 17; 2Peter 1:1) B. T o the elect~ To Acts 13:48 ~ ... as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (cf. Matthew 11:25-27; ) C. Not by merit~ Ephesians 2:8, 9 ~ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God... (cf. Titus 3:5, Gal. 2:16)
II. Faith is the response of regenerate man to the Gospel, entailing:

A. Knowledge/Understanding~ 1Corinthians 15:3, 4 ~...as of first importance... Christ died for our sins... He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures... (cf. 1John 5:20; Romans 10:14; 2Timothy 3:15) B. Agreement/Assent~ 1Thessalonians 2:13 ~ ...you received... the word of Gods message... you accepted it... (c.f. 2Timothy 3:14; Hebrews 4:2; James 2:19; Matthew 13:20, 21) C. Willful T rust~ Trust~ 2Timothy 1:12 ~ ...I am not ashamed, because I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. (NIV, emphasis added) (c.f. John 5:24, 39, 40; Luke 18:9-14; John 20:28)
III. Faith is willful trust in Jesus Christ for salvation

Acts 16: 30, 31 ~ ...What must I do to be saved?... Believe in the Lord Jesus, andyou will be saved ... (NIV) (c.f. John 3:16; Acts 20:21; Romans 10:9-17)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 16 SAV I N G FA I T H
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
n the Greek language, the word PISTIS (faith) denoted a conviction based on confidence in a person and his testimony, and it presupposes a personal relation to the object of confidence such that there is a trusting in the object of faith. In Christianity, we express our confidence in God (particularly the Person of Christ) for our redemption from sin and to a future blessedness. So the progression of faith is: (1) general confidence in Christ, (2) accepting the Holy Spirits testimony on the basis of trust, and (3) yielding to Christ and trusting in Him for our salvation. Faith, therefore, includes a mental direction towards an object and so saving faith has the idea of turning with confident trust to Jesus Christ. rue saving faith is a faith that has its seat in the heart and is rooted in the regenerate life, and it is not first of all the activity of man ~ but it is a work of God in the heart of a sinner. When the Bible speaks of faith, it generally refers to faith as an activity of man, though born of the work of the Holy Spirit. And this saving faith is a certain conviction, wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, as to the truth of the Gospel, and a hearty reliance and trust on the promises of God in Christ. he knowledge of faith should not be regarded as less certain than other types of knowledge. Our Heidelberg Catechism assures us that true faith is among other things also a certain knowledge, and this is in harmony with Hebrews 11:1 which speaks of faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. It makes future and unseen things subjectively real and certain for the believer, and the certainty of this knowledge has its warrant in God Himself, and consequently nothing can be more certain. So in conclusion, all saving faith must contain a minimum of knowledge regarding the Mediator of our salvation and His gracious operations.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Hebrews 10:22 ~ ...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith... (NIV) HOMEWORK:
Notes
T T

S E C T I O N 16 SAV I N G FA I T H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 1 7 GO D L Y RE P E N T ANCE LY TA
17
C T
GODLY REPENTANCE
Repentance, granted by God, is regenerate man s mans willful response to the Gospel s call to turn from sin Gospels to God.
Ezekiel 18:1-32 Luke 18:9-14, 19:1-10 Acts 19:11-20
Memory Verse
Luke 15:17-20
ut when he came to his senses, he said... Father , I have Father, sinned against heaven,and in your sight... and he got up and came to his father . father.
S E C T I O N 17 GO D L Y RE P E N T ANCE LY TA
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. Repentance
A. Is granted by God ~ 2 Timothy 2:24-26 ~ if perhaps God may grant them repentance(cf. Acts 5:31; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:8,9) B. Accompanies faith ~ Acts 20:21 ~ solemnly testifying... of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mark 1:15)
II. Repentance is the response of regenerate man to the Gospel, entailing:

A. Comprehension of sin ~ Luke 15:18 ~ Father, I have sinned (cf. 1 John 1:5-10; Daniel 4:28-37 & 9:3-11) B. Conviction of sin ~ 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 ~ you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance sorrowful according to the will of God (cf. Psalm 38:18; Psalm 51:1-19; Luke 18:13,14) C. Ceasing to sin AND commencing with righteousness ~ Luke 3:7-14 ~ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (cf. Jonah 3:5-10; Luke 15: 17-24; Luke 19:1-10)
III. Repentance is turning from sin to God

A. 1Thessalonians 1:9 ~ you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God (cf. Proverbs 9:6; Isaiah 55:6, 7; Ezekiel 18:32; Acts 26:18-20) B. Acts 19:11-20 ~ many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them so the word of the Lord grew mightily
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 1 7 GO D L Y RE P E N T ANCE LY TA
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
epentance is an abandonment or repudiation of sin based on a godly sorrow for the evil we have done. The two Hebrew words in the Old Testament that are translated to repent indicate a conscious moral separation and forsaking of sin combined with a return to God, and this also involves a grieving and lamenting for our sin. The New Testament words translated to repent indicate (1) a feeling of concern and regret that leads to a change of behavior, and (2) to think differently about something or to have a change of mind. Regret may be selfish, as in the case when we sin and suffer unpleasant consequences, as so we regret what we have done ~ but this is mere penitence. Repentance is sorrow for ones sin because of the wrong done to God and others, combined with a genuine desire to abandon that sin. So then, the nature of true repentance is a godly sorrow for ones sin together with a resolution to turn from it. s we see repentance in Scripture, we cannot avoid being impressed with its importance in salvation. The large number of verses and contexts in which repentance is stressed make it clear that it is not optional, but rather it is indispensable in salvation ~ God... now commands all men everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30). The Bibles emphasis on repentance is an incontrovertible argument against what has been called easy believism or cheap grace. Its not enough to simply believe in Jesus - there must be an alteration in the inner person, because if there is no conscious repentance how could there be an awareness of being saved from the power of sin. Remember Jesus words to the woman caught in adultery were, Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more. (John 8:11).
Notes
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Isaiah 30:15 ~ In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength (NIV) HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages. Read Grudem chapter 24.

S E C T I O N 17 GO D L Y RE P E N T ANCE LY TA
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 18 JU S T I F I C A T I O N B Y FA I T H AT
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Justification is an act of God, based on regenerate man s faith in Christ, resulting in the forgiveness of mans sins and the imputation of Christ s righteousness. Christs
18
T I
Romans 3:21-5:19 Galatians 2:11-3:9
Memory Verse
Galatians 2:16
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
S E C T I O N 18 JUSTIFICA T I O N B Y FA I T H USTIFICAT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. Justification is...
A. An act of God the Father ~ Romans 8:29-33 ...God is the One Who justifies; (cf. Romans 3:28-30) B. A legal declaration ~ Romans 4:3-8 ...the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works... (NIV) (cf. Romans 3:23-26; 8:2-4) C. The opposite of condemnation ~ Romans 5:1 and 8:1 ...having been justified by faith... there is therefore now no condemnation... (cf. Deuteronomy 25:1; Romans 5:9; 8:33, 34)
II. Justification is based on faith in...

A. Christ s Person ~ Colossians 1:15-22 Christs ...God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in [Christ]... (cf. John 1:1-18; Colossians 2:9) B. Christ s Propitiation for our sins ~ Romans 5:9 Christs ...having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God... (cf. Isaiah 53:11; Romans 3:23-26) C. Christ s righteousness imputed to us ~ Romans 5:17-19 Christs ... so through the obedience of One the many will be made righteous. (cf. Zechariah 3:1-5; 1Corinthians 1:30; 2Corinthians 5:21)
III. Justification is not based on our works

A. Galatians 2:14-21 ~ ... a man is not justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus... B. Philippians 3:8-11 ~ ... found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ...
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 18 JU S T I F I C A T I O N B Y FA I T H AT
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
he instrumental cause of our justification is faith. An instrumental cause is the means by which something takes place ~ as the chisel is the instrumental means to generate a sculpture. So faith is the means by which we are linked to Christ and receive the benefits of His saving work, i.e. by faith we receive the transfer or imputation of the righteousness of Christ. Faith is a necessary condition for Christs righteousness to be imputed to us, and true faith in Jesus Christ is all that is required to be justified by His righteousness. ustification by faith alone is merely shorthand for justification by the righteousness of Christ alone. His merit is sufficient to satisfy the demands of Gods justice, and this is given to us by God when He clothes his filthy creatures with the coat of Christs righteousness. As Martin Luther said, A Christian is righteous and holy by an alien or foreign holiness ~ by the mercy and grace of God. It is a divine blessing, given us through the true knowledge of the gospel when we believe that our sin has been forgiven through the grace and merit of Christ. This alien righteousness is the righteousness of Christ, which does not adhere in us but was earned for us. ur salvation rests not only in Christs death, but also in his life of perfect obedience. If to secure our redemption Christ needed only to make propitiation for our sin, He could have come from heaven and gone straight to the cross. But He also had to fulfill all righteousness by submitting to every point of Gods law. By His sinless life He achieved positive merit, which is imputed to all who place their faith in Him. Therefore, Christ not only died for us, He lived for us as well. (Romans 5:6-11)
Jeremiah 23:6 ~ In His days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which He will be called: The Lord our Righteousness. (NIV) HOMEWORK:

S E C T I O N 18 JUSTIFICA T I O N B Y FA I T H USTIFICAT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 19 A D O P T I O N IN T O T H E FA M I L Y LY
OF
GO D
19 A
T I
DOPTION
INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD

Adoption is an act of God, based on regenerate man s faith in Christ, whereby He places man into mans His family . family.
Matthew 6:8-34 Romans 8:12-25 Galatians 3:26 - 4:7
Memory Verse
Galatians 4:6,7
od has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
S E C T I O N 19 AD O P T I O N IN T O TH E FA M I L Y O F GO D LY
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. Adoption is an act of God
A. The Father s eternal plan ~ Fathers Ephesians 1:3-6 ~ ...He predestined us to adoption as sons ... B. The Son s extensive authority ~ Sons John 1:12,13 ~ ...He gave the right to become children of God ... C. The Spirit s express testimony ~ Spirits Romans 8:14-17 ~ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
II. Adoption is based on faith in Christ

Galatians 3:26 ~ For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.~(cf. Rom. 8:9-14)
III. Adoption is God placing man into His family , therefore family,
A. W e are not in bondage to the law ~ Gal. 3:15-4:7 We 1. 3:15-24 ~ all are under the sin and law 2. 3:26-28 ~ all believers are free from the law 3. 3:29-4:5 ~ we are delivered from slavery and bondage and made to be sons with an inheritance of blessings 4. 4:6,7 ~ through the Spirit we cry out Abba!, Father! B. W e are not in bondage to the flesh ~ Rom. 8:12-25 We 1. 8:12,13 ~ we are not obligated to our flesh 2. 8:14-16 ~ weve been adopted into Gods family 3. 8:17-25 ~ we have the hope of our inheritance in glory C. W e are not in bondage to the world ~ Matt. 6:8-34 We 1. 6:8-13 ~ recognize that God is our Father Who cares for us 2. 6:14-18 ~ we are to live to please our Father 3. 6:19-24 ~ God must be our master 4. 6:25-34 ~ We are to trust in His provision
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 19 A D O P T I O N IN T O T H E FA M I L Y LY
OF
GO D
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
egeneration begins new life in the soul; justification deals with a new attitude of God towards that soul; adoption admits that soul into the family of God with familial joy. Regeneration has to do with a change in our nature, justification with a change in our legal standing, and adoption with a change in our position. And our new position is that we have been placed into Gods family. Adoption means the placing of a son, the taking by one man the son of another man to be his own son. Spiritual adoption means that the one placed into the family of God has all the privileges, blessings, and liberty of an adult son ~ and so it also imposes the responsibilities that belong to a mature man.
Notes
T I
his is clear from the fact that whatever God addresses to believers, He addresses to all believers; no part of the Bible exhortations are restricted only to beginners in the Christian life. But rather, the same holy walk and exercise of gifts is expected from all of Gods children. All of this is due to the new responsibility which adult maturity imposes and to the divine plan that the believers life is to be lived, from the start, in the power of the Holy Spirit. n conclusion, adoption is a word of position. The believers relation to God as His child results from the new birth; in the adoption, he is placed in the position of an adult son ~ the indwelling Spirit gives us the realization of this, but the full manifestation of the believers sonship awaits the resurrection, i.e. the redemption of our bodies.
1 John 3:1 ~ How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! (NIV)
HOMEWORK:

S E C T I O N 19 AD O P T I O N IN T O TH E FA M I L Y O F GO D LY
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 20 ET E R N A L S E C U R I T Y A N D A S S U R A N C E
ETERNAL SECURITY AND ASSURANCE

Those who are Justified are immediately and permanently secured by God in their salvation, which grants them the assurance of their salvation.
20
T I
Romans 8:28-39 John 1 0:22-30 10:22-30 John 6:28-40 1 John 5:1 0-1 3 5:10-1 0-13
Memory Verse
Romans 8:29,30
or whom He foreknew , He also predestined to become foreknew, conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
S E C T I O N 20 ET E R N A L SECURITY A N D ASSURANCE
DO C T R I N A L LE S S O N
Notes
I. Salvation is
A. Immediately secured ~ John 5:24 ~...he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. (cf. John 3:36; 1John 5: 12) B. Permanently secured ~ 1Peter 1:3-5 ~...an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God... 1. The Fathers Power ~ John 10:27-29 ~...I give eternal life to them...no one shall snatch them out of My hand...no one is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand. (cf. John 6:38-40) 2. the Sons Prayer ~ Hebrews 7:25 ~...He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (cf. Rom. 8:34; John 17:24) 3. The Spirit as Pledge ~ Ephesians 1:13-14 ~...having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge... (cf. 2Cor. 1:21-22; 2Cor. 5:5)
II. The justified are granted assurance of salvation ~ (Rom. 8:28-39; 1John 3:19-24)
A. By faith in Christ ~ 1John. 5:11-13 ~...you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life. (cf. John 3:16, 20:31) B. By the witness of the Spirit ~ Romans 8:15-16 ~The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God... (cf. 1 John 3:24; 4: 13) C. By righteous living ~ 1 John 2:28-29 ~...you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1. He will walk as Christ walked ~ (1 John 1:7; 3:3) 2. He will confess sin ~ (1John 1:9; 2:1,2) 3. He will overcome ~ (1John 4:4; Rom. 8:36-37; 1John 5:4-5) 4. He will see answered prayer ~ (1John 5:14-15)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 20 ET E R N A L S E C U R I T Y A N D A S S U R A N C E
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
ternal security is the work of God which guarantees that the gift of salvation cannot be lost. This doctrine emphasizes Gods omnipotent activity in guaranteeing our eternal possession of His gift of salvation, which was secured by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. We must also remember Gods purposes and promises to continue to work in us to bring us to Christian maturity and heavenly glorification. Of additional import is the fact that our eternal security does not rest on our feelings or experiences, but on Gods power and purpose which indicates that there may be times of backsliding. ssurance of Salvation is the realization that one possesses eternal life, which delivers the believer from unnecessary trauma and insecurity. But why would a believer not have that assurance that he is eternally saved? Probably due to one or more of the following reasons; 1~ their inability to pinpoint the actual time of their regeneration, 2~ they question the process of their conversion, and this problem has been aggravated by elevating the method of public invitation, 3~ they do not believe in the doctrine of eternal security, and 4~ the lack of personal holiness or the depth of their backslidden condition. A lack of Biblical sanctification is probably the greatest hindrance to our assurance of salvation, but we must also ensure that our assurance rests on Gods word and objective evidence from our life that there are fruits keeping with repentance; and that our assurance does not rest solely on a specific time for our conversion.
Gods love for me is secure in Christ Jesus our Lord and absolutely nothing can ever change that. (Romans 8:28-29)
HOMEWORK:

S E C T I O N 20 ET E R N A L SECURITY A N D ASSURANCE
Notes
G REAT DOCTRINES
P P
III
A A
R R
T T
S A N C T I F I C AT I O N
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 21 PO S I T I O N A L SA N C T I F I C A TION AT
21
C T I
POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is God setting apart the elect from sin unto His purpose. Romans 6:1-7 Ephesians 2:1 1-22 2:11-22 2P eter 1:2-4 Pe Colossians 3:1-4
Memory Verse
Romans 6:6
nowing this, that our old self was crucified with Christ, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
GREAT DOCTRINES III ~ SANCTIFICATION
S E C T I O N 21 POSITIONAL SANCTIFICA TION ANCTIFICAT
Notes
I. Sanctification means God setting apart ~ I Cor 1:30

A. In the Old T estament Testament 1. Israel ~ Deut. 7:6 ~ ...you are a holy people to the LORD your God... God has chosen you... 2. Levites ~ Numbers 8:14 ~ Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. B. In the New T estament Testament 1. The elect ~ 1Cor 1:2 ~to the church of God... those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus... (cf. 1Cor. 6:11, Heb 10:10 & 13:12) 2. The missionary ~ Acts 13:2 ~...the Holy Spirit said set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work for which I have called them. C. Related terms ~ (i.e. consecrate, set apart, etc.) ~ Lev. 20:7, 24, 26; 21:8.
II. Sanctification means being set apart from

A. Sin s penalty ~ Romans 8:1 ~ There is therefore now no condemnation for Sins those who are in Christ Jesus. (cf. Heb. 10: 10-14) B. Sin s Power ~ Romans 6:1-7 Sins 1. v .2 ~ we have died to sin v.2 .3-6 ~ we are baptized, buried, united, and crucified with Him 2. v v.3-6 3. v .6 ~ our body of sin is done away with*, and we are no longer slaves to sin v.6
III. The elect are set apart for God s purposes Gods
A. As saints in the church ~ Eph. 2:13 ~ ...you who were formerly far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ... (cf. Rom. 1:7, 1Peter 2:9, 10) B. Sanctified for good works ~ 2Tim. 2:21 ...he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. (cf. Eph 2:10)
*note: The Greek word here is katargeo which means to render inoperative, powerless, or inactive.
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 21 PO S I T I O N A L SA N C T I F I C A TION AT
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
ositional sanctification is a sanctification, holiness, and sainthood which comes to the believer by the operation of God through the offering of the body and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are saved have been redeemed and cleansed in His precious blood, forgiven, justified, purified, adopted into His family, and made righteous through His Headship. All of this indicates a distinct classification and separation, deep and eternal, achieved through the saving grace of Christ; and every believer is now said to be sanctified positionally such that we are the saints of God. Although this position bears no direct relationship to the believers daily experience, his position in Christ is the greatest possible incentive to practical holiness. he epistles teach the marvels of saving grace and then conclude with an appeal to holy living which corresponds to our high position in Christ. As Christians, we are accepted in the Beloved ~ and He is our righteous and sanctification and redemption (I Corinthians 1:30). And positional sanctification is as complete for the weakest saint as it is for the strongest, since it depends only on ones union with Christ. This is proven by the Corinthian church ~ as they were unholy in some aspects of their church life, yet Paul called them sanctified twice; (1Cor. 1:2; 6:11). By their position, all Christians are called holy brethren and saints; and in his position in Christ, each believer stands righteous and accepted before God forever.
Notes
I am a saint and so I will consider myself as a saint and will conduct myself as a saint. (Romans 6:11)
HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem chapter 38, sections A and B.
GREAT DOCTRINES III ~ SANCTIFICATION PART 3~SECTION 21~PAGE 3
S E C T I O N 21 POSITIONAL SANCTIFICA TION ANCTIFICAT
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 22 PR O G R E S S I V E SA N C T I F I C A TION AT
22
C T I
PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION
Those who have been sanctified willfully cooperate with God in the process of being conformed into the image of Christ. Romans 6:8-23 Ephesians 4:1 7-2 4 4:17-2 7-24 2P eter 1:5-1 1 Pe 1:5-11 Colossians 3:5-1 1 3:5-11
Memory Verse
Romans 6:17
ut thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed.
S ECTION 22 PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICA TION ANCTIFICAT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. The sanctified...
A. Will consider himself as dead to sin ~ Rom. 6:8-11 ~ Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin... B. Will obey ~ Rom. 6:17 ~ ...though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart... (cf. 1John 2:3-5; John 10:27) C. Will be chastised ~ Heb. 12:5-7 ~ ...He scourges every son whom He receives. D. Will be pruned ~ Jn. 15:1-5 ~ ...He prunes every branch...
II. The sanctified willfully cooperate

A. With God ~ Phil. 2:13 ~for it is God who is at work in you... ~ 1Cor. 15:10 ...I labored... yet not I, but the grace of God with me. (cf. Heb. 13:20-21; 2Peter 1:3 & Gal. 2:20) B. Through diligence ~ Phil. 2:12 ~ ...just as you have always obeyed... work out your salvation with fear and trembling;(cf. 2Peter 1:5-10) 1. Romans 6:12-19 Do not
let sin reign in your body go on presenting your members to sin let sin be your master be a slave for obedience to sin
But rather
present yourselves to God as instruments of righteousness live under grace obey from the heart unto righteousness
Result: Sanctification 2. 2Peter 1:5-11 ~ Applying all diligence... faith moral excellence knowledge self control perseverance godliness brotherly kindness love Result: Fruitfulness
III. The sanctified are being conformed to the image of Christ

A. By putting off the old self ~ Eph. 4:22 ~ ...in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self... ~ Col. 3:8-9 ~ ...you laid aside the old self with its evil practices... B. By putting on the new self ~ Eph 4:24 ~ ...put on the new self... in the likeness of God...~ Col. 3:10 ~ ...who is being renewed according to the image of the One Who created him... C. Resulting in Christlikeness ~ 2Cor. 3:18 ~ ...we all... are being transformed into the same image... just as from the Lord... ~ Rom. 8:29 ~...He predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son...
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 22 PR O G R E S S I V E SA N C T I F I C A TION AT
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
anctification is the continuing work of God in the believers life which makes him actually holy ~ simply meaning that we bear an actual likeness to God. Sanctification is the process by which our moral condition is conformed to our legal status of righteousness, and so it is a continuation of what was begun in regeneration when a newness of life was instilled within the believer by the Holy Spirit. And as such, sanctification is the Holy Spirit applying Jesus Christs work to the life of the believer. his sanctification is a moral goodness and spiritual worth which means that not only are believers set apart in Christ, but that they conduct themselves in purity and goodness so that they are regarded as being in Christ. Since we are children of God and brethren of Christ, we should show a likeness to them in that our lives are characterized by love, mercy, humility, patience, and righteousness. nd we must always remember that sanctification is a supernatural work that is done by God, not by ourselves - as our nature cannot produce or accomplish holiness. This sanctification is a special series of works by the Holy Spirit, and therefore this divine work within the believer is a progressive phenomenon that will operate throughout the entire life of the believer (Phil. 1:6). And obviously, the aim of this work is a likeness to Christ Himself, which has been Gods intention from all eternity (Romans 8:29,30). But while sanctification is a work of God, the believer is constantly exhorted to work and grow in regard to his salvation; and so the believer has a vital role in his own sanctification ~ to remove sin and to develop personal holiness.
Notes
T A
2Cor. 11: 1 ~ I will imitate Christ, as Paul has done before me.
HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem Chapter 38, sections C-F
S ECTION 22 PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICA TION ANCTIFICAT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 23 TH E PR E S E N C E OF IN D W E L L I N G S I N
THE PRESENCE OF INDWELLING SIN

The sanctified, though dead to sin and the law , must battle indwelling sin. law, Romans 7 :1-2 4 7:1-2 :1-24 Galatians 5:1 6-26 5:16-26 Matt he w 26:40,4 1 Matthe hew 26:40,41
23
C T I
Memory Verse
Romans 7:18
or I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
S E C T I O N 23 TH E PR E S E N C E OF IN D W E L L I N G SI N
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. The sanctified are dead to sin

A. Because Christ died to sin ~ Rom. 6:10 ~ For the death that He died, He died to sin... (Gal 2:20) B. Because they are in Christ ~ Rom. 6:2, 3 ~ ...all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death. C. Because he who has died is freed from sin ~ Rom. 6:7
II. The sanctified are dead to the law

A. Because Christ s death paid their debt to the law ~ Rom. 3:23-25 Christs ...[Christ Jesus] God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood ...to demonstrate His righteousness... (cf. Col. 2:13-14; Rom. 7:4; Heb. 10:12) Note: Propitiation means satisfaction. (see SECTION 7 on Christs Death) B. Because they are in Christ ~ Rom. 7:4 ~ ...you also were made to die to the Law...that you might be joined to another.. (cf. Gal. 2:19-20) C. because he who has died is freed from the law ~ Rom. 7:1-11 ~ ...we have been released from the Law, having died to that... (cf. Rom. 6:14)
III. The sanctified must battle indwelling sin

A. which is revealed through the law ~ Rom. 7:5-13 ~ ...I would not have come to know sin except through the Law... (cf. Rom. 3:20; 5:20) B. which opposes the law ~ Rom. 7:14-23 ~ ...I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind... the law of sin which is in my members. C. which abides in the flesh ~ 1 . The inner man desires to obey the law ~ Rom. 7:22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man... (cf. Rom 6:17; 2 Cor. 4:16; Jer. 31:33; Eze. 36:26-27) 2. The flesh sets its desire against the Spirit ~ Gal. 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit...for these are in opposition to one another... (cf. 1Pet. 2:11)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 23 TH E PR E S E N C E OF IN D W E L L I N G S I N
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
lthough the primary effects of sin are on our relationship with God, sin also has consequences for the person who commits the sin ~ and one of these effects is its enslaving power. Sin becomes a habit or even an addiction. One sin leads to another sin. As examples; Cain lied after killing Abel and David murdered after committing adultery. And what some people consider freedom to sin, which is a freedom from the restrictions of obedience to the will of God, is actually the enslavement which sin produces (2Peter 2:18,19). in also results in an unwillingness to face reality and to actually deny the existence of sin. Instead of dying we pass away; and instead of sin being the cause of our misery and death it is some sickness or deprivation or ignorance or a social maladjustment that is the culprit. Or though we may admit to sin, we desire to avoid the consequences of it; as Adam blamed Eve, and then God, for his disobedience. And in particular we want to avoid the notion that our sin ultimately leads to our death. in produces insensitivity and as we continue to sin and reject Gods warnings and condemnations, we become less and less responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and our conscience. Sin results in an increasing self-centeredness and a commensurate decrease in our love and concern for others. And finally, sin uses Gods law to deceive us such that, it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. (Romans 7:13).
S S
Romans 7:24 ~ Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from this body of this death?
HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily.

S E C T I O N 23 TH E PR E S E N C E OF IN D W E L L I N G SI N
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 24 GO D S PR O V I S I O N F O R IN D W E L L I N G SI N
24
C T I
GODS PROVISION AGAINST INDWELLING SIN

The sanctified are empowered to overcome indwelling sin by Christ and the Holy Spirit working through the inner man. Romans 8: 1-1 7 1-17 Galatians 5:22-25 Ephesians 3:1 4-1 9 3:14-1 4-19
Memory Verse
Romans 8:2
or the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
S E C T I O N 24 GO D S PROVISION F O R IN D W E L L I N G SI N
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. The sanctified are empowered by Christ

A. As the victor over sin and death ~ Rom. 7:24-8:4 ~ ...He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us... (cf. Heb. 2:14) B. As the vine ~ John 15:1-10 ~ "...for apart from me you can do nothing (cf. 1John 3:6) C. As the advocate ~ 1 John 2:1 ~ ... we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; (cf. Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25)
II. The sanctified are empowered by the Holy Spirit

A. As He indwells us ~ Rom. 8:9-11 ~ ...will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you. (cf. John 14:23; 1Cor. 3:16) B. As He leads us in putting to death the deeds of the body ~ Rom. 8:13-14 ~ ...but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body... (cf. Gal. 5:16) C. As He intercedes for us ~ Rom. 8:26-27 ~ ...the Spirit Himself intercedes...for the saints according to the will of God
III. The sanctified are empowered in the inner man

A. He must set his mind on the Spirit ~ Rom. 8:5-6 ~ ...the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace... (cf. Col. 3: 1-2; Ez. 7:10) B. He must walk by the Spirit ~ Gal. 5:16 ~ ...and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh... (cf. Gal. 5:22-26; Rom. 13:14) C. He must be filled with the Spirit ~ Eph. 5:18 ~ ...but be filled with the Spirit... (see SECTION 10 The Holy Spirit and the Believer) D. He must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ ~ 2Cor. 10:4,5 ~ ...We are destroying speculations... taking every thought captive... (cf. Phil. 4:8) E. He must maintain a blameless conscience ~ Acts 24:16 ~...I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. (cf. 2Cor. 1:12; 1Pet 3:16,21; Heb. 13:18)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 24 GO D S PR O V I S I O N F O R IN D W E L L I N G SI N
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
he Holy Spirit works progressive sanctification into the life of the believer; and this sanctification refers to that continued transformation of our moral and spiritual character so that the life of the believer mirrors our positional sanctification in Christ. The Holy Spirit liberated us from the the law; and henceforth believers do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. This means that Christians set their minds on the things of the Spirit and that Christians walk by the Spirit, because we are enabled to do so by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. And the indwelling Spirit guides and leads the Christian to put to death the deeds of the flesh, because we received not the spirit of slavery - but sonship through our adoption. his life in the Spirit is what God intended for each believer - as we are collectively instructed to walk by the Spirit and not by our flesh. If we heed this instruction, our lives will be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, which cannot be produced in human lives by unaided self-effort. But rather, the fruit of the Spirit in the life of the believer is the product of a supernatural work brought to bear by the Holy Spirit. And it is only when we are walking in the Spirit and giving evidence of the fruit of His work in us that we can effectively serve the body of Christ and minister to those outside the church.
Because of Gods power in me, I can obey Him, overcoming sins power in me. (1John 2: 12-14; Acts 26: 18)
HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages and John 15 & Galatians 5, daily.

S E C T I O N 24 GO D S PROVISION F O R IN D W E L L I N G SI N
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 25 T H E SP I R I T U A L DI S C I P L I N E S
25
C T I
THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

The sanctified must faithfully exercise themselves in the W or d, prayer , fellowship, Wor ord, prayer, witnessing, and self-examination unto Christlikeness. 1Cor int hians 9:2 4-2 7 1Corint inthians 9:24-2 4-27 Romans 1 2:1-3 12:1-3 Hebr ews 1 2:1-3 Hebre 12:1-3
Memory Verse
1T imothy 4:7b, 8 1Timothy
iscipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
S E C T I O N 25 TH E SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. The sanctified must faithfully exercise themselves
A. In the word ~ 2Tim. 2:15 ~ Be diligent to present yourselves to God... handling, accurately the word of truth. (cf. Ezra 7:10) B. In prayer ~ Col. 4:2 ~ Devote yourselves to prayer... (cf. Rom. 15:30) C. In fellowship ~ Heb. 10:24-25 ~ ...stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together... (cf. Rom 12:10) D. In witnessing ~ 1Peter 3:15 ~ ...always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give account for the hope that is in you... (cf. 2Tim. 4:2) E. In self examination ~ 2Cor. 13:5 ~ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!... (cf. 1Cor. 11:28)
II. Faithful exercise of the spiritual disciplines results in spiritual maturity

A. Through the word ~ 2Tim. 3:16-17 ...that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (cf. 1Pet. 2:2, Acts 20:32; Eph. 4:11-13) B. Through prayer ~ Phil. 4:6-7 ~ ...in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God...and the peace of God will guard your hearts (d. Jude 20) C. Through fellowship ~ Eph. 4:11-16 ~ ...to a mature man to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (cf. Heb. 3:13, Eccl. 4:9-12) D. Through witnessing ~ Rom. 1:14-16 ~ ...I am eager to preach... for I am not ashamed of the gospel (cf. Col. 4:5-6) E. Through self examination ~ Ps. 139:23-24 ~ Search me, O God, and know my heart... lead me in the everlasting way (cf. Prov. 28:13-14)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 25 T H E SP I R I T U A L DI S C I P L I N E S
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
e will never get anywhere in life without discipline; be it in the arts, business, athletics, or academics. This is doubly true in spiritual matters. In other areas we may be able to claim some innate advantage, as an athlete was born with a strong body, or a musician naturally has perfect pitch, or an artist has an eye for perspective. But in the spiritual realm we are all at a decided disadvantage. Therefore, even as children of grace, our spiritual discipline is important. And so Pauls admonition to Timothy regarding the need for spiritual discipline in 1Timothy 4:7 takes on not only transcending importance-but personal urgency. In a word, he is calling for spiritual sweat, to get rid of every encumbrance, every association, habit and tendency that impeded godliness.
he call to train ourselves in godliness also suggests directing all of our energy toward discipline. We should note that in 1Corinthians 9:25-27, Paul states that intense training is required, because he uses terms such as labor and strive. When one seriously trains, he willingly undergoes hours of rigorous discipline to win the prize.
hether or not we have disciplined ourselves will make a huge difference in this life. we are all members of one another, and we are either elevated or depressed by the inner lives of one another. Some of us affect others like a joyous tide, lifting them upward ~ but some of us are like undertows to the flock. Spiritual discipline, therefore, holds a huge promise for this life.
Through faithful obedience and submission to God, I will not quench nor grieve the Holy Spirit. (1Thes. 5:19, Eph. 4:30) HOMEWORK:

S E C T I O N 25 TH E SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 2 6 PE R S E V E R A N C E A N D G L O R I F I C A TION AT
PERSEVERANCE AND GLORIFICATION

Empowered by God, the sanctified will persevere, looking forwar d to their eternal forward glorification. Romans 8:1 6-30 8:16-30 2Cor int hians 2Corint inthians 4:1-5:8 Hebr ews 1 2:1 2-29 Hebre 12:1 2:12-29
26
C T I
Memory Verse
2Corinthians 5:7
or we walk by faith, not by sight.
S E C T I O N 26 PERSEVERANCE A N D GLORIFICA TION LORIFICAT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. God s power in perseverance ~ Gods

A. The Father s initiating ~ Phil. 1:6 ~ ...He who began a good work in you will Fathers perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (cf. Phil. 2:13; 1Pet. 1:3-5 & Rom. 8:30) B. The Son s intervening ~ Col. 1:27-29 ~ ...which is Christ in you, the hope of Sons glory... striving according to His power which mightily works within me. (cf. Phil. 4:13; Rom. 8:34 & Heb. 7:25) C. The Spirit s interceding ~ Rom. 8:26-27 ~ ...the Spirit also helps us in our Spirits weakness... because He intercedes for the saints... (cf. John 14:16; Eph. 3:16)
II. The sanctified participate in perseverance ~

A. By continuing in the faith ~ Heb. 3:14 ~ For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end... (cf. Col. 1:23; 1Cor. 15:2; 2Thes. 2:15) B. By abiding in Christ ~ John 8:31 ~ ...if you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine... (cf. John 15:1-10; Eph. 6:10; Rom.13:14) C. By enduring ~ 1. T o the end ~ Matt. 24:13 ~ But the one who endures to the end, he shall To be saved. (cf. Matt. 10:22; Mark 13:13) 2. Without growing weary ~ Gal. 6:9 ~ ...let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap...(cf. 2Cor. 4:1)
III. Perseverance looks forward to glorification ~

A. Eagerly ~ Rom. 8:23-25 ~ ...we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption... (cf. Rom. 8:19) B. In hope ~ 2Cor. 4:16-18 ~ ...we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen... (cf. Rom. 8:20-25; Heb.12:22-24) C. Personally ~ 2Tim. 4:8 ~ ...there is laid up for me the crown...not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. D. T o glorification ~ Phil. 3:20-21 ~ ...we eagerly await for a Savior...who will To transform the body of our humble state... (cf. 1Cor. 15:35-53; 2Tim. 4:17-18; 1John 3:2-3)
PART 3~SECTION 26~PAGE 2 GREAT DOCTRINES III ~ SANCTIFICATION
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 26 PE R S E V E R A N C E A N D GL O R I F I C A TION AT
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
I J
n speaking of the eternal security of Gods people, it is better to speak of their preservation than their perseverance. Perseverance means persistence under discouragement, trials, and contrary pressure. The assertion that believers persevere in faith and obedience despite all that works against them is true, but the reason is that Jesus Christ through the indwelling Spirit persists in preserving them.
ohn tells us that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is under promise to the Father (John 6:37-40) and to his sheep (John 10:27-29) to keep them so that they never perish. Jesus also prayed that those whom the Father had given to him would be preserved to glory (John 17:2,6,9,24). And Jesus continues to pray for us (Rom. 8:34, Heb 7:25).
he sovereign plan of God for salvation includes glory for those who are justified. Paul builds the triumphant peroration of Romans 8:31-39, in which he celebrates the present and future security of the saints in the love of Almighty God. But sometimes the regenerate backslide, in which they act out of character, do violence to their new nature, and make themselves deeply miserable ~ so they eventually seek and find restoration. When the regenerate act in character, they manifest a humble, grateful desire to please the God that saved them.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8: 18) HOMEWORK:

S E C T I O N 26 PERSEVERANCE A N D GLORIFICA TION LORIFICAT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 27 SE P ARA TION PA AT
27
C T
SEPARATION
To glorify God, those sanctified must separate themselves from the world system and ungodly men, resulting in fruitfulness.
2Cor. 6:11-7:1 1John 2:15-17 James 4:1-10
Memory Verse
2Corinthians 6:17
herefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lor d. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will Lord. receive you.
S E C T I O N 27 SE P ARA TION PA AT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. The sanctified glorifies God

A. Through obedience ~ 1Pet. 1:15 ~ but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior... (cf. 2Cor. 7:1) B. In his body ~ 1Cor. 6:18-20 ~ Flee immorality...For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (cf. 1Thes. 4:3-5) C. With thanksgiving ~ Col. 3:17 ~...giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (cf. Eph. 5:18-20) D. In fear ~ 1Pet. 1:17 ~ ...Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth. (cf. Phil. 2:12)
II. The sanctified must separate himself from...

A. The world system ~ 1John 2:15-16 ~ Do not love the world, or the things in the world... (cf. James 4:4) 1. Its doctrine ~ 2Tim. 2:16 ~ But avoid worldy and empty chatter... 2. Its lusts ~ 1Peter 2:11,12 ~ Abstain from fleshly lusts... 3. Its desires ~ 1Tim. 6:9-11 ~ ...But flee from these things.. B. Ungodly men ~ Psalm 1:1 ~ ...blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked... (cf. Eph. 5:5,7,11; ) 1. The unbelieving ~ 2Cor. 6:14-16 ~ Do not be bound together with unbelievers... (cf. Eph. 5:5,7,11 ; 1Cor. 15:33) 2. The false teachers ~ 2John 9-11 ~...do not receive him into your house...(cf. Rom. 16:17; Matt. 7:15-20) 3. The unruly brethren ~ 2Thes. 3:6, 14-15 ~ ...keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life... (cf. 1Cor. 5:11-13)
III. Separation results in fruitfulness

A. Through intimacy with God ~ 2Cor. 6:16-18 ~ ...come out from their midst and be separate... And I will welcome you. And I will be a Father to you... (cf. John 14:21-23) B. Through effective service for God ~ 1. In the church ~ Rom. 14:17-21 ~ ...let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (cf. 1Cor. 8:7-13) 2. In the world ~ 2Tim. 2:20-26 ~ ...he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. (cf. John 17:13-18; Matt. 5:13-16)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 27 SE P ARA TION PA AT
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
O T T
ne theme, which follows from the biblical insistence upon holiness and purity, is separation. The Christian is to remove himself from certain aspects of the world. James said ...keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27). Paul writes, Come out from them, and be separate... and I will be a Father to you... (2Cor. 6:17,18). Such appeals to live pure and distinctive lives are based on the fact that we are Gods people, and our relationships and behavior ought to be different from those of the world. he application of these principles in the lives of believers has been varied. Some have shunned secular schools, separated from churches or church bodies which are not pure in doctrine and lifestyle, and withdrawn from prolonged or profound contact with non-Christians, lest there be a corruption of their faith and life. Others have maintained close personal relationships with unbelievers, or joined as members with organizations which make no explicit claim to a Christian commitment. here are biblical grounds supporting each side of this tension. There is certainly Scriptural teaching that we belong to a pure and holy God, and we are to be pure as well. But there is Jesus teaching that we are to be salt and light in the world (Matt. 5:13-16). To be involved in the structures of society while still maintaining our distinctiveness, our quality as salt and light, requires a delicate balance. Each Christian will need to determine prayerfully just how he can best achieve the goal of both practicing compassion for those ensnared in the world while keeping ourselves unspotted by the world.
My usefulness to God will depend upon my willingness to identify with the things that are pleasing to Him. (Psalm 1 )
HOMEWORK:

S E C T I O N 27 SE P ARA TION PA AT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 28 LE G A L I S M A N D LI C E N S E
28
C T I
LEGALISM AND LICENSE

The sanctified are called to walk by the Spirit and in love, thereby avoiding the sins of legalism and license, which abuse the Law and liberty , respectfully . liberty, respectfully. Romans 13:8-15:13 Galatians 5:1-16 Colossians 2:6-3:4
Memory Verse
Galatians 5:13
or you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another . another.
S E C T I O N 28 LEGALISM A N D LI C E N S E
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. Legalism and License are sin
A. Legalism demands obedience to non-Christian standards of the Law~ 1. For salvation ~ Gal. l:6-9; 2:11-16; 3:1-5 2. For sanctification ~ Rom. 14:1-12; Col. 2:13-23 B. License abuses grace by disobeying Christian standards in the Law~ 1. By presuming upon Gods grace to forgive ~ Rom. 3:8; 5:20-6:2; 6:15 2. By providing opportunity for the flesh ~ Gal. 5:13-15; 6:7-8
II. Legalism and License are condemned

A. Legalism for salvation is condemned ~ 1. By Christ ~ Luke 18:9-14; Matt. 23:13-28 2. By Paul ~ Phil. 3:3-11; Gal. 5:1-6; Titus 1:10-16 B. Legalism for sanctification is condemned ~ 1. By Christ ~ Mark 7:1-13; Matt. 15:1-14 2. By Paul ~ Gal.4:8-11; Col. 2:16-23 C. License is condemned as evidence of unbelief ~ 2Peter 2:1-22; Jude 1:4-8, 11-16
III. The sanctified are called to walk

A. In the Spirit ~ Gal. 5:13-18, 25; Rom. 8:4; Eph. 5:18-20 B. In love ~ 1. To God ~ Matt. 22:36-38; James 4:7-10 2. To others ~ Rom. 14:13-21; 1Cor. 8:4-13; James 4:11-12; 5:9
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 28 LE G A L I S M A N D LI C E N S E
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
egalism is a distortion of obedience, which cannot produce works that are truly good. That is because legalism skews our motives, causing us to see good works as essential ways to earn more of Gods favor. It is also arrogant, because the one who labors believing he has more favor will have contempt for another who does not labor in the same way. There is also lovelessness, as the self-advancing purpose of legalism squeezes out humble kindness and compassion. Paul condemns the Christ-plus message in Galatians and Colossians, because anything that requires us to take action to add to our salvation is an insult to Christ. n license, freedom from the law as a way for salvation is assumed to bring with it freedom from the law as a guide to our conduct. However, Gods moral law ~ as contained in the Old and New Testaments ~ comprises a single coherent law that was given to be the code of practice for Gods people in every age. Repentance involves our resolve to seek Gods help to live according to His commands and Gods Spirit is given to empower us to follow His commands. This keeping of the law was accomplished by Christ (Matthew 5:17) and is held as the standard of conduct for all who would claim to be sanctified by Christ (1Corinthians 6:9-11).
Notes
Trusting and depending completely upon the Holy Spirit, I am to fulfill the law of Christ by placing the interests of others above my own seeking only to fulfill Gods will. ~ Galatians 6:2
HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily.

S E C T I O N 28 LEGALISM A N D LI C E N S E
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 2 9 T H E B E L I E V E R S U N I O N W I T H C H R I S T
29
T I
THE BELIEVERS UNION WITH CHRIST

All Christians are in union with Jesus Christ and are recipients of every spiritual blessing. John 15:1-11 Ephesians 1:3-14 Colossians 3:1-4
Memory Verse
John 15:4
bide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can You, unless you abide in Me.
S E C T I O N 29 TH E BELIEVER S UN I O N W I T H CH R I S T
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. All Christians...
A. WERE in Adam ~ 1Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:12-19 B. ARE in mystical union with Jesus Christ ~ 1Corinthians 6:15-20 ~ 1. Intimately ~ 1Corinthians 12:13, 27 ~ ... you are Christs body, and individually members of it. (cf. John 14:23; 17:21-23; Romans 12:5) 2. V itally ~ John 15:1-10 ~ I am the vine you are the branches ... apart Vitally from Me you can do nothing. (cf. Ephesians 5:29-32; Galatians 2:20; Phil 4:13) 3. Spiritually ~ 1Corinthians 6:17 ~ But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. (cf. Romans 8:9-11)
II. Christians are recipients of every spiritual blessing ~ Ephesians 1:3-14 ~

A. W e WERE chosen, adopted, redeemed, made heirs, sealed with the Holy We Spirit, and raised with Jesus Christ ~ Ephesians 1:3-14; Colossians 2;12 & 3:1 B. W e ARE hidden, seated in the heavenly realms, spiritually alive, We saved,created for good works, and brought near to God ~ Colossians 3:3; Ephesians 2:4-13 C. W e WILL be revealed and glorified with Jesus Christ ~ We Colossians 1:27; 3:4; 1Corinthians 15:51-57
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 2 9 T H E B E L I E V E R S U N I O N W I T H C H R I S T
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
his union may be defined as that intimate, vital, spiritual union between Christ and His people, in virtue of which He is the source of their life and strength, of their blessedness and salvation. This union is mystical because it so far transcends all the analogies of earthly relationships in the intimacy of connection, in the transforming power of its influence, and in the excellency of its consequences. The sinner cannot share in the saving benefits of Christs redemptive work, unless he be in union with Him. As Adam was the representative head of our old humanity, so Christ is the representative head of our new humanity. All the blessings of grace flow from our Mediator, and even the first blessing of saving grace presupposes a union with the Person who is the Mediator. Every spiritual blessing which believers receive flows to them out of Christ. his union of Christ and the believer is effected by the Holy Spirit in a mysterious and supernatural way. Since His children shared in flesh and blood, He also in like manner partook of the same; that through death He might bring to naught him who had the power of death, that is the devil; and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Heb. 2:14,15). He could merit salvation for them just because He already stood in relation to them as their Surety and Mediator, their Head and Substitute. The Church was crucified with Christ, she died with Him, she arose in Him from the dead, and was made to sit with Him in the heavenly places. In an objective way, all the blessings of saving grace lie ready for the Church; and they await only their subjective application by the operation of the Holy Spirit.
Notes
2 Peter 1:3,4 ~ Realize and glory in the fact that His Divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and goodness. (NIV) HOMEWORK:

S E C T I O N 29 TH E BELIEVER S UN I O N W I T H CH R I S T
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 3 0 WO R S H I P
30
T I
WORSHIP
True worship is the consummate expression of the sanctified life. Psalm 96 Romans 11:33 - 12:2 Hebrews 10:19-25 + 13:10-16
Memory Verse
Hebrews 13:15
herefore by Him let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
S ECTION 30 WORSHIP
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. T rue worship ascribes glory to God ~ Psalm 96 True

A. By exalting Him ~ Rev. 4:8-11 ~...Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD God Almighty...Worthy art Thou... (cf. Rev. 5:8-14) B. By honoring Him ~ Rom. 11:33-36 ~Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!... For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things... (cf. Ps. 95:6-7; Lev. 10:3; Eph. 3:14-21) C. By sacrificing ~ Rom 12:1-2 ~...present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God...that you may prove what the will of God is... (cf. Deut. 6:5-6)
II. Only the sanctified truly worship

A. The origin of worship: 1. The Spirit of God ~ Phil. 3:3 ~...we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God... (cf. Rom. 8:8-9) 2. Gratitude to God ~ 1John 4:10,19 ~In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son...[we] love, because He first loved us. (cf. Col. 2:6-7; Heb. 13:5) B. The obligation of worship: (John 4:22-24) 1. In spirit ~ v. 24 ~...those who worship Him must worship in spirit... (cf. Ps. 42:1; 1Pet. 2:5; Isaiah 1:11-14) 2. In truth ~ v. 24 ~...those who worship Him must worship in ...truth. (cf. 1Tim. 4:13; Neh. 8:1-6; Rom. 10:2) 3. In body ~ Rom. 12:1 ~...present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice... which is your spiritual service of worship. (cf. Rom. 6: 12; 1Cor. 6:19,20) 4. In mind ~ Rom. 12:2 ~ ...be transformed by the renewing of your mind... that you may prove what the will of God is... (cf. Eph. 4: 17-24; Phil. 4:8) C. The objective of worship: 1. Individually ~ Heb. 10:19-22 ~ ...let us draw near...having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience... 2. Corporarely ~ Heb. 10:23-25 ~ ...let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together...
III. The consummate expression of true worship:

A. Exalting the Savior ~ Rom. 15:8-13 ~ ...I will give praise to Thee among the Gentiles... B. Edifying the saints by ... by... 1. Exercising spiritual giftedness ~ Rome 12:3-8 2. Out of love ~ Rom. 12:9-16 (cf. Rom. 13:6-10) C. Evangelizing the lost by ... by... 1. Loving them ~ Rom 12:17-21 2. Submitting to authority ~ Rom 13:1-8
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 3 0 WO R S H I P
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
orship is simply honor and adoration directed to God. Worship cannot be isolated or relegated to just one place, time, or segment of our lives. We cannot verbally thank and praise God while living lives of selfishness and carnality. The New Testament words translated worship mean, to kiss toward, to bow down, to pay homage or render honor. And our English word is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term weorthscipe, which is tied to the concept of worthiness. Therefore, worship is ascribing to God His worth or stating His supreme value; and it starts in the human heart and goes up by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Son to the Father.
ur definition of worship is enriched when we realize that true worship touches every area of our lives. Romans 12:1+2 present the concept of whole-life worship. Paul states that after coming to know all the blessings of life in Christ in the first eleven chapters, the only proper response in acceptable, spiritual worship is to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. The same concept is found in First Peter, where the blessings in 1:2-5 should cause us, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ Jesus. (1Peter 2:5) Our ministry, therefore, is the reflection of our worship ~ as it comes down from the Father through the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit to the human heart.
As His created and recreated child, I desire to worship Him! ~Psalm 150
HOMEWORK:

S ECTION 30 WORSHIP
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
G REAT DOCTRINES
P P A A
IV
AND
R R
T T
THE CHURCH E SCHATOLOGY
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 31 T H E NAT U R E OF TH E CH U R C H
THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH

The church is the people chosen by the Father in Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and manifested in local assemblies.
31
C T I
Ephesians 1+2
Memory Verse
Ephesians 2:19
o then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God s Gods household.
GREAT DOCTRINES IV ~ THE CHURCH
S E C T I O N 31 TH E NAT U R E O F TH E CH U R C H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. The church is chosen ~Ephesians 1:3-14

A. By the Father ~ vv. 3,4~...God the Father...just as He chose us... (cf. 1Thes. 1:3,4) 1. From eternity ~vv. 1,4,5 ~ ...to the saints...He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world... (cf. 1Pet. 1:2) 2. Unto holiness ~v. 4 ~ ...that we should be holy and blameless... (cf. Col. 1:22) 3. With motive ~v. 4 ~ ...In love... (cf. Eph. 2:4,5) 4. As children ~v. 5 ~ ...He predestined us to adoption as sons... (cf. Rom. 8:15) 5. With intent ~v. 5 ~ ...according to the kind intention of His will... 6. For His glory ~v. 6 ~ to the praise of the glory of His Grace B. In Christ ~ v. 4 ~just as He chose us in Him... 1. Graciously ~v. 6 ~ ...His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 2. For redemption ~v. 7 ~ In Him we have redemption through His blood... 3. For forgiveness ~v.7 ~ ...we have...the forgiveness of our trespasses... (cf. Col. 1:14) 4. With intent ~v.9 ~...according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 5. As heirs ~vv. 10-11 ~ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance... (cf. Col. 1:12) 6. For His glory ~v.12 ~ to the end that we... should be to the praise of His glory...
II. The church is sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit ~ Ephesians 1:13,14; 1Cor . 12:13 1Cor.
A. As promised by Christ ~ v. 13 ~ ... sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, (cf. John 14:15-26 ) B. As a promise of the Father ~ v. 14 ~ who is given as a pledge... 1. As heirs ~v.14 ~ " pledge of our inheritance... (cf. 2Cor. 1:21,22, Acts 1:4-8 & 2:33) 2. Looking to the future ~ with a view to the redemption of Gods own possession... C. For His glory ~ v. 14 ~ ...to the praise of His glory-
III. The church is manifested in local assemblies

A. By command ~ Heb. 10:24,25 ~ not forsaking our own assembling together... (cf. Acts 2:42; Eph. 2:19-22) B. By the one anothers ~ John 13:34-35 ~ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples... (see The One Anothers on page 4 of this section) C. by time and place ~ Eph. 1:1 ~ ...the saints who are at Ephesus... (cf. 1Cor. 1:2; 2Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2)
PART 4~SECTION 31~PAGE 2 GREAT DOCTRINES IV ~ THE CHURCH
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 31 T H E NAT U R E OF TH E CH U R C H
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
he Church of God as it exists on the earth is both visible and invisible. Martin Luther was the first to make this distinction. The Church is invisible because she is essentially spiritual and you cannot determine infallibly those who do and do not belong to her. The union of believers is a mystical union; the Spirit that unites them constitutes an invisible tie; and the blessings of salvation such as true faith, regeneration, genuine conversion, and spiritual communion with Christ are all invisible ~ and yet these things constitute the true form of the Church. But although the church is the spiritual body of Christ, it has its imperfect embodiment in the visible Church. nd so this invisible Church assumes a visible form; just as the human soul is adapted to a body and expresses itself through that body, so the invisible Church necessarily assumes a visible form in the external organization through which it expresses itself. The Church becomes visible in Christian profession and conduct, in the ministry of the Word and of the ordinances, and in external organization and government. lso, the Church is both an organism and an organization. The Church as an organ ism is the communion of believers, with all their gifts and talents being exercised for the work of her Lord. The Church as an institution is an agency for the conversion of sinners and the perfecting of the saints, it exists in an institutional form and functions through the means which God has ordained.
A A
God has accomplished His will for all of the saints eternally, purposefully, perfectly, and for His glory. Behold what is yet to come! (Eph. 1:15-23) HOMEWORK:
Read Ephesians 1-3 daily. Read Grudem, chapter 44, Sec. A-1, 2, 3, 6; B-1&2
GREAT DOCTRINES IV ~ THE CHURCH PART 4~SECTION 31~PAGE 3
S E C T I O N 31 TH E NAT U R E O F TH E CH U R C H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
The One Anothers

Be at peace with one another Love one another We are individually members of one another Be devoted to one another Give preference to one another Being of the same mind toward one another Dont judge one anothers liberty Be of the same mind as one another Accept one another Admonish one another Greet one another with a holy kiss Dont have lawsuits with one another Marriage couples are not to deprive one another Wait for one another at the Lords table Care for one another Serve one another Dont bite and devour one another Dont become boastful in challenging one another Dont be envying one another Bear one anothers burdens Showing forbearance to one another Be kind to one another Speak to one another in psalms & hymns & spiritual songs Submitting to one another as more important than himself Regard one another as more important than himself Do not lie to one another Bearing with one another Teaching and admonishing one another Abound in love for one another Comfort one another Encourage one another Build up one another Live in peace with one another Dont repay one another with evil Seek the good of one another Dont hate one another Stimulate one another to love and good deeds Dont forsake assembling with one another Do not speak against one another Do not complain against one another Confess your sins to one another Pray for one another Fervently love one another from the heart Be hospitable to one another without complaint Employ your spiritual gift in serving one another Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another Have fellowship with one another Mark 9:50 John 13:34 Romans 12:5 Romans 12:10 Romans 12:10 Romans 12:16 Romans 14:13 Romans 15:5 Romans 15:7 Romans 15:14 Romans 16:16 1Corinthians 6:7 1Corinthians 7:5 1Corinthians 11:33 1Corinthians 12:25 Galatians 5:13 Galatians 5:15 Galatians 5:26 Galatians 5:26 Galatians 6:2 Ephesians 4:2 Ephesians 4:32 Ephesians 5:19 Ephesians 5:21 Philippians 2:3 Colossians 3:9 Colossians 3:13 Colossians 3:16 1Thessalonians 3:12 1Thessalonians 4:18 1Thessalonians 5:11 1Thessalonians 5:11 1Thessalonians 5:13 1Thessalonians 5:15 1Thessalonians 5:15 Titus 3:3 Hebrews 10:23 Hebrews 10:24 James 4:11 James 5:9 James 5:16 James 5:16 1Peter 1:22 1Peter4:9 1Peter 4:10 1Peter 5:5 1John 1:7 GREAT DOCTRINES IV ~ THE CHURCH
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 32 TH E PU R P O S E OF TH E CH U R C H
THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

God s purpose for the church is to Gods display His glory through Christ s presence Christs on the earth.
32
C T I
Ephesians 2 & 3
Memory Verse
Ephesians 3:10
o the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
S E C T I O N 32 TH E PU R P O S E O F TH E CH U R C H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. God is glorified in the church

A. By His eternal plan for the church ~ Eph. 3:1-11 ~ The mystery which for ages has been hidden in God... that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church. (cf. Eph. 1:3-14) B. By His gracious, saving work in the church ~ Eph. 2:1-7 ~ And you were dead...But God...made us alive...that...He might show the surpassing riches of His grace... (cf. Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; Col. 1:12-14) C. By revealing His glory (the mystery of the gospel) through the Church ~ Eph. 3:1-11 ~ This grace was given...to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ...that the manifold wisdom of God might be made known through the church... (cf. 2Thes. 1:11-12; Rom. 11:33-36; Col. 1:25-27)
II. God is glorified by Christ

A. Ruling over the church ~ Eph. 1:1-23 ~ ...the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory...gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (cf. Eph. 5:23; Col. 2:9,10,18,19) B. Reconciling men in the church ~ Eph. 2:11-18 ~ ...in Christ Jesus...He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God... (cf. Col. 3:9-11; Gal. 3:28) C. Residing in the church ~ Eph. 2:19-22; 3:12-21 ~ ...you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit...that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God...to Him be the glory in the church... (cf. 1Cor. 3:16; 2Cor. 6:16)
All true glory is concentrated upon the true God...the Head and the Crown of the universe, the King of Glory C.H. Spurgeon
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 32 TH E PU R P O S E OF TH E CH U R C H
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
he phrase in order that in Ephesians 3:10 indicates that this was the design or this was the purpose for which all things were made. One of the grand purposes in the creation of the universe was that the wisdom of God might be clearly shown by the Church. It was not enough to evince Gods wisdom by the formation of the sun, stars, earth, seas, mountains, and floods. And it was not enough to show it by the creation of intelligent beings ~ the formation of immortal minds on the earth and the various ranks of the angelic world. There are aspects of the divine character which can be understood only in connection with the redemption of man. Hence, the universe was created and man was made upon the earth, not merely to illustrate the divine perfection in the work of creation, but in a still more illustrious manner through the work of redemption, and in formation of the Church.
Notes
herefore, the ultimate goal of both creation and redemption is the manifestation of Gods divine wisdom. In particular, Pauls commission to proclaim the mystery of the church is designed to promote this objective as the Church now becomes Gods choice instrument to reveal His wisdom. The Church becomes the mirror through which the bright ones of heaven see the glory of God. And in order to show them this glory, God has committed the gospel to the Church.
As one of His own marked out for Glory, I must live to His Glory! Ephesians 3:20-21
HOMEWORK:
Read Ephesians 2 & 3 daily. Read Grudem chapter 45 & chapter 44 Sec. C.
S E C T I O N 32 TH E PU R P O S E O F TH E CH U R C H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 33 TH E ST R A T E G Y O F TH E CH U R C H AT
THE STRATEGY OF THE CHURCH

God s strategy is that the church Gods exalt the Savior , edify the saints, and Savior, evangelize the lost. Matt he w 22:3 4-40 Matthe hew 22:34-40 Ephesians 3:20-4:24 2Cor int hians 5:1 4-20 2Corint inthians 5:14-20
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C T I
Memory Verse
Matthew 22:37
nd He said to him, Y ou shall love the Lor d your God You Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
S E C T I O N 33 TH E ST R A T E G Y O F TH E CH U R C H AT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. God s strategy for the church Gods

A. Exalt the Savior ~ 1. Eph. 3:20-4:6 ~ ...to Him be the glory in the church...one Lord...Who is over all, and through all, and in all. 2. Matt. 22:34-40 ~ ...which is the greatest commandment... YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD... B. Edify the saints ~ Eph. 4:11-12a ~ And He gave some... for the equipping of the saints... 1. by gifted men equipping ~ Acts 2:42 ~...devoting themselves to the apostles teaching... 2. for the work of service ~ v. 12a ~ (cf. Col. 1:28) 3. to the building up of the body (spiritual maturity) ~ ...the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (cf. 1Pet. 2:2) C. Evangelize the lost ~ Acts 1:8 ~ ...you shall be my witnesses 1. To the remotest part of the earth ~ Acts 1:8 2. As ambassadors for the kingdom of God ~ II Cor. 5:14-20 ...we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us... be reconciled to God.
II. The church is to...

A. Exalt the Savior ~ 1Peter 2:11,12 ~ Keep your behavior excellent...glorify God in the day of visitation. 1. Through good works ~ Eph. 2:10; Matt. 5:16 2. Through corporate worship ~ I Cor. 14:24,25, positive; ~ Rev. 2 & 3, negative B. Edify the saints ~ 1. Through the practice of the one anothers in the context of the local church. (see The One Anothers, section31, page 4) 2. Thru church discipline ~ Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5 C. Evangelize the lost ~ 1. Be ready ~1Peter 3:15 ~ ... always being ready to give an account for the hope that is in you... 2. Be persistent ~ Acts 2:40 ~ ...he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, be saved... 3. Be committed ~ Matt. 28:19,20 ~ Go therefore and make disciples... teaching them to observe all that I commanded you...
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 33 TH E ST R A T E G Y O F TH E CH U R C H AT
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
W A
orship, the praise and exaltation of God, was a common Old Testament practice. And throughout the New Testament, especially as a heavenly crowd in Revelation, the people of God are represented as recognizing and declaring Gods greatness. It is appropriate for the church, which belongs to God, to praise and glorify Him and to focus its attention on Who and What God is.
nother major function of the church is the edification of the saints. Paul states that God has given gifted men, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. There are several means for building up saints. Fellowship, or holding all things in common, is a means that would include encouraging and sympathizing with each other and bearing each others burdens. The church also edifies itself through preaching and teaching, which is part of its broad task of discipling.
esus instructed the disciples to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... and this call to evangelism is a command. Therefore, if the church is to be faithful to the Lord, it must be engaged in bringing the gospel to all people ~ to those we like and to those we do not like. And it goes beyond our immediate sphere of contact and influence ~ so much so that local evangelism, church planting and world missions are all the same thing ~ the only difference is the length of the radius. The church must take the gospel to all these areas or it will become spiritually ill. n the New Testament, the church gathered for worship and equipping and edification, and then went out to evangelize. In worship, members focus on God; in instruction and fellowship, they focus on their own growth; and in evangelism they turn their attention to the lost. It is well for the church to keep some separation between these activities or the church will suffer, since all these activities ~ like the parts of a well-balanced diet ~ are essential to the spiritual well-being of the body. AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: I bring Him glory as a faithful son, saint, and servant. (2 Tim. 2:24-26) HOMEWORK:

S E C T I O N 33 TH E ST R A T E G Y O F TH E CH U R C H AT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 34 M E T A P H O R S O F TH E CH U R C H TA
METAPHORS OF THE CHURCH

Scripture describes the church as the family of God, the temple of God, the body of Christ, and the bride of Christ. Romans 8:1 4-1 7 8:14-1 4-17 Ephesians 2:1 9-22 2:19-22 1Cor int hians 3:1 0-1 7 1Corint inthians 3:10-1 0-17 Ephesians 5:23-32 Galatians 4:4-7 eter 2:4-8 1P 1Pe
Memory Verse
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1Peter 2:5
ou also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
S E C T I O N 34 ME T A P H O R S O F T H E CH U R C H TA
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. The church is the family of God

A. God is our Father ~ 2Cor. 6:18 ~ ...I will be a father... you shall be sons and daughters to Me... (cf. Eph. 1:3; Matt. 6:31-34) B. Adopted as sons ~ Eph. 1:4,5 ~ ...He predestined us to adoption... (cf. John 1:12; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5 & 6) C. Fellow heirs with Christ ~ Gal. 4:4-7 ~ ...you are no longer a slave, but a son... an heir... (cf. Rom. 8:14,17; 1:13,14)
II. The church is the temple of God ~ 1Cor. 3 & Eph. 2(Gk. = holy of holies)
A. Christ is the corner stone ~ Eph. 2:20 ~ ...Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone... (cf. Luke 20:17; 1Pet. 2:6-8) B. Apostles / Prophets are the foundation ~ Eph. 2:20 ~ ...built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets... (cf. Acts 2:42; Eph. 4:11) C. Church is the dwelling ~ Eph 2:19-22 ~ ...you also are being built together into the dwelling of God (cf. 1Cor. 3:9-17; 1Pet. 2:4,5) III. The church is the body of Christ A. Christ is the head ~ Eph. 5:23 ~ ...Christ also is the head of the church...the savior of the body (cf. Col. 1:18; Eph. 4:15,16) B. Believers are the members ~ Rom. 12:4,5 ~ ...so we, who are many, are one body in Christ... (cf. 1Cor. 12: 12-27; Eph. 4:11-16) IV . The church is the bride of Christ IV. A. Betrothed to Christ ~ 2Cor. 11:2 ~ ... for I betrothed you to one...Christ... B. Christ is the bridegroom ~ John 3:29 ~ He [Christ] who has the bride is the bridegroom... (cf. Matt. 9:15) C. Christ nourishes / cherishes her ~ Eph 5:23-32 ~ ...but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church... D. She anticipates the marriage supper of the Lamb ~ Rev. 19:7-9 ~ ...rejoice and be glad...for the marriage of the Lamb has come... (cf. Matt. 25:1-13)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 34 M E T A P H O R S O F TH E CH U R C H TA
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
he phrase for His own possession is found in Titus 2:14, to describe the Churchs relationship to God. That phrase is translated from a compound Greek word which is made up of the two words which mean around as in a circle and to be. It can be charted as a dot within a circle. As the circle is around the dot, so God is around each one of His saints. And as the circle has the dot all to itself, so God has His own people all to Himself. They are His unique private possession. The expression the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father..., has the same idea; it demonstrates that the church is in the sphere of God, circumscribed by God, and surrounded by God. his is a place of high privilege. The Son dwells in the bosom of the Father, closest to the Fathers affections. Marvelous grace that we sinners, saved by grace, are brought into that favored place in Christ. This is also a place of protection. As nothing can reach the dot without going through the circle, so no temptation or trial can reach us without going through the permissive will of God. He will not permit a temptation beyond our strength, but will also provide a way of escape ~ that we may be able to endure it. God in His wisdom plans the test, limits the temptation, and in His grace we meet the test and overcome the temptation.
Notes
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: As the beloved children and dwelling of God, in Him and cleaving to Him, we are to be obedient and pure, submissive and faithful to the One for whom we expectantly wait. HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem chapter 44, Sec. A-4.
S E C T I O N 34 ME T A P H O R S O F T H E CH U R C H TA
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 3 5 TH E FU N C T I O N O F T H E CHURCH
THE FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH

Scripture calls the church to function as a family and live as a holy priesthood, inter dependently and in subjection to Christ. interdependently
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C T I
Romans 12:1-8 1Corinthians 12:4-27 1Peter 2:4-12 Ephesians 5:23-32 1John 3:13-18
Memory Verse
1Corinthians 12:7
ut to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
S E C T I O N 35 TH E FU N C T I O N O F TH E CH U R C H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. The church is to function as a family

A. In loving submission to God ~ John 14:15 ~ If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (cf. John 14:23; 1John 2:4-7; 5:1-3; Matt. 22:36-40) B. In loving service to one another ~ Gal. 5: 13, 14 ~ ...through love serve one another...the whole Law is fulfilled... (cf. Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 6:2) 1. In gentleness ~ 1Tim. 5:1,2 ~ ...do not sharply rebuke. (cf. Eph. 4:1,2) 2. In love ~ 1John 4:7-12 ~ ...we also ought to love one another... (cf. 1John 2:9-11, 3:13-18) 3. In harmony ~ Phil. 2:1-4 ~ ...by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose... (cf. Phil. 4:1-4)
II. The church is to live as a holy priesthood

A. By offering up spiritual sacrifice to God ~ 1Pet. 2:5 ~ ...to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God... (cf. Heb. 13:15; Rom. 12:1,2) B. By proclaiming the excellencies of God ~ 1Pet. 2:9 ~ that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him... C. By living in holiness as God s people ~ 1 Pet. 2:9-12 ~ ...keep your Gods behavior excellent among the Gentiles... (cf. Phil. 2:15; Titus 2:7.8; 2 Cor. 8:21)
III. The church body is to function interdependently

A. As individual body parts ~ 1Cor. 12:12-27 ~ ...God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired... B. Exercising diverse spiritual gifts ~ 1Cor 12:4-11 ~ ...each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (cf. Rom. 12:4-8)
IV . The church is to live in subjection to Christ IV.

A. As an obedient wife ~ Eph. 5:22-24 ~ Wives, be subject to your own husbands...as the church is subject to Christ... (cf. Eph. 4:15; Col. 1:18) B. Comforted by Christ s love ~ Eph. 5:25-32 ~ ...Christ also loved the church Christs and gave Himself up for her...nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church...
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 3 5 TH E FU N C T I O N O F T H E CHURCH
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
he metaphor of the body of Christ emphasizes that the Church is the locus of Christs activity now, just as was His physical body during His earthly ministry. This metaphor also emphasizes the connection of the Church with Christ ~ Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27), such that the riches of His glory are revealed through the Church. Christ is the head of the body, of which all believers are individually members, and so He is the Lord of the Church as He guides and controls the body by His direction. But finally, the metaphor of the body of Christ speaks of the interconnectedness between all the people in the Church. Christian faith is not to be defined merely in terms of an individual relationship to the Lord. There is no such thing as an isolated, solitary Christian life. In 1Corinthians 12, Paul develops this concept in terms of the gifts of the Spirit wherein he stresses the dependence of each believer upon every other believer ~ with the gifts being given for the edification of the body as a whole. here is, in the understanding of the body, a mutuality; each believer builds up and encourages the others as stated in Ephesians ~ we are to grow up in all aspects into (Christ)... according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body.... We are to bear one anothers burdens, restore those in sin, and be in true fellowship with one another. Fellowship is an intimate understanding of one another, characterized by empathy and encouragement and sharing of goods. And so as a human body cares for all its individual parts, so the Church cares for all its people. The work of Christ, if it is done at all, will be done by His body ~ the Church.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: The Fathers design for the church is for the good of the church and the glory of the Son to a watching world. HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudems Chap. 48.

S E C T I O N 35 TH E FU N C T I O N O F TH E CH U R C H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 36 TH E L E A D E R S H I P S RE S P O N S I B I L I T Y T O T H E CH U R C H
LEADERSHIPS RESPONSIBLITY TO THE CHURCH

God has given the church gifted men to serve as elders and deacons in subjection to Christ.
36
C T I
1Timothy 3:1-13 Titus 1:5-11 1Peter 5:1-4 Acts 20:17-35
Memory Verse
1Peter 5:1,2
herefore, I exhort the elders among you... shepher d the shepherd flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily , accor ding to the will of God. voluntarily, according
S E C T I O N 36 TH E LEADERSHIP S RESPONSIBILITY T O TH E CH U R C H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. God has given the church gifted men to serve
A. Gifted men are given by God ~ Eph 4:11 ~ And He gave some as pastors and teachers B. Gifted men serve in humility ~ Matt. 20:26-28 ~ ...whoever wishes to become great...shall be your servant... (cf. Matt. 23:11,12; John 13:1-17) C. Gifted men are affirmed ~ 1Tim. 4:13 & 14 ~ ...spiritual gift bestowed ...through prophetic utterance... (cf. Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)
II. Gifted men serve as elders and deacons ~ Philippians 1:1

A. Elders 1. Must be biblically qualified ~ 1Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11 a. Godly desire ~ ...if any man aspires the office... b. Godly character ~ e.g. blameless, temperate, able to teach, etc. c. Godly family ~ e.g. husband of one wife, children under control, etc. d. Godly reputation ~ e.g. above reproach, good with those outside, etc. 2. Must serve by shepherding ~ 1Peter 5:1,2; Acts 20:28-32 a. By deciding doctrinal matters ~ Acts 15:1-16:5 b. By praying for church members ~ James 5:14, 15 c. By preaching and teaching ~ 1Tim. 5:17 d. By equipping the saints ~ Eph. 4:12-16 B. Deacons 1. Must be biblically qualified ~ Acts 6:1-6; 1Tim. 3:8-13 a. Appointed by elders ~ Acts 6:3b; 1Tim 3: 10 b. Godly character ~ Acts 6:3a ~ e.g. men of dignity, not double tongue, etc. c. Godly family ~ e.g. husband of one wife, good manager of children, etc. d. Godly reputation ~ 1Tim 3:9,10; Acts 6:3 2. Must serve by meeting needs ~ 1Tim 3:10,13; Acts 6:1-6 ~
III. Elders and deacons serve in subjection to Christ

A. Caring for the flock ~ John 21:15-17 ~ ...tend My lambs...shepherd my sheep... B. As godly examples ~ 1Peter 5:1-4 ~shepherd the flock...proving to be examples...
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 36 TH E L E A D E R S H I P S RE S P O N S I B I L I T Y T O T H E CH U R C H
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
he Scriptures instruct all Christians to watch over each other with loving care and prayer, but they also call for the appointment of guardians called elders. The elders are to look after people as shepherds look after sheep, leading them by example away from all that is harmful and into all that is good. In virtue of their role, the elders (presbuteroi) are also called shepherds or pastors (poimenes) and overseers (episkopoi), and are spoken of in various terms that express leadership. The congregation, for its part, is to acknowledge the God-given authority of its leaders and follow the lead they give. his leadership model is found in the Old Testament, where God is the Shepherd of Israel and kings, prophets, priests and elders are called to act as His under-shepherds. In the New Testament, Jesus the Good Shepherd is also the Chief Shepherd ~ and the elders are His subordinates. The apostle Peter called himself an elder under Christ, perhaps remembering that spiritual shepherding was the specific task that Jesus gave him when restoring him to ministry (John 21:15-17). he pastoral role demands mature and stable Christian character and a well-ordered personal life. Wholeheartedness and faithfulness in the eldership ministry will be rewarded. Every local church needs godly men to minister and serve in the role of elders, and the churches should implement a wise method of selecting and appointing these leaders.
Notes
T T
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: As Christ came to serve and to give His life, so shall I. ~ Matt. 20:26-28 HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem Chapter 47 Sec A & B.
S E C T I O N 36 TH E LEADERSHIP S RESPONSIBILITY T O TH E CH U R C H
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 37 TH E CH U R C H S RE S P O N S I B I L I T Y T O LE A D E R S
THE CHURCHS RESPONSIBLITY TO LEADERS

God instructs the church to esteem church leaders through obedience, imitation, and support. Hebrews 13:1-18 Philippians 4:10 -19 1Thessalonians 5:11-13 1Timothy 5:17- 22
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Memory Verse
Hebrews 13:7
emember those who led you, who spoke the wor d of word God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
S E C T I O N 37 TH E CH U R C H S RESPONSIBILITY T O LE A D E R S
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. God instructs the church to
A. Esteem church leaders ~ 1Thes. 5:12, 13 ~ ...appreciate those who diligently labor among you...and that you esteem them very highly in love... (cf. I Tim. 5:17; Phil. 2:29; 1Cor. 16:10-11) B. Do the work of service ~ Eph. 4:11-16 ~ ...equipping of the saints for the work of service (cf. 1Cor. 12:4-27)
II. God instructs the church to esteem church leaders through

A. Obedience ~ Heb. 13:17 ~ Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account... (cf. John 21:15-17) B. Imitation ~ Heb. 13:7 ~ Remember those who led you... imitate their faith. (cf. 1Cor. 11:1-2; Phil. 3:17) C. Support ~ 1. By prayer ~ Heb. 13:18 ~ Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorable. (cf. 2Cor. 1:8-11) 2. By finances ~ 1Tim. 5:17, 18 ~ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor...the laborer is worthy of his wages. (cf. Phil 4:10-18)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 37 TH E CH U R C H S RE S P O N S I B I L I T Y T O LE A D E R S
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
G T T
od has given the Church a ministry to accomplish that task for which it was formed, and all the members of the Church share equally in this ministry. All the saints constitute the royal priesthood (1Peter 2:9) and all of our Christian life is to be lived in consecration to the Lord (Rom. 12:1,2), as we have all been given the manifestation of the Spirit (1Cor. 12:7).
he dominant concept of the Christian ministry is that of service. Jesus both taught and lived the ministry of service, which was carried on in the early church. Jesus came as the Servant of the Lord; and according to His own word He did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life a ransom for many. He made it clear that this same service was to characterize the ministry of His followers (John 13:13-17). he most characteristic word to describe the work of the Christian ministry is diakonia from which our word deacon is derived. It comes nearer to expressing the concept of a service of love more than any other Greek term for service. This word is a non-religious word and never indicates association with any particular dignity. Thus it was applied to apostleship (Acts 1:17,25; Col. 1:25), as well as to all saints (Eph.4:12). It is the ministry of the word of reconciliation and of the New Covenant, but also of serving tables. All in the church are to serve in the capacity they have received individually from our Lord.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: In faithfulness to Christ I am to let my leaders rule over me with joy and not with grief, for my own good. (Heb. 13: 17) HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem chapter 47 Sec. C & D.
S E C T I O N 37 TH E CH U R C H S RESPONSIBILITY T O LE A D E R S
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 3 8 TH E CH U R C H OR D I N A N C E S
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THE CHURCH ORDINANCES

Baptism and the Lor d s Supper are church Lord ds or dinances instituted by Christ that ordinances symbolize spiritual truths. Matthew 3:13-17 Luke 22:1-20 Acts 2:36-47 1Corinthians 11:17-34
Memory Verse
Acts 2:42
nd they continued steadfastly in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.
S E C T I O N 38 TH E CH U R C H ORDINANCES
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. Baptism and the Lord s Supper are church ordinances Lords

A. Baptism ~ Acts 2:38 ~ ...let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ... (cf. Acts 8:12, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47; 16:14,15; 18:8; 19:5) B. Lord s Supper ~ Acts 2:42,46 ~ And they were continually devoting Lords themselves ... to the breaking of bread. (cf. 1Cor. 11:23-26)
II. Baptism and the Lord s Supper were instituted by Christ Lords
A. Baptism 1. As a mark of discipleship ~ Matt. 28:19 ~ Go therefore and make disciples ... baptizing them... (cf. Acts 19:1-5) 2. As an act of righteousness ~ Matt. 3:13-17 ~ ...permit it [Christs baptism] at this time... to fulfill all righteousness. B. Lord s Supper Lords 1. As a remembrance of His sacrifice ~ Luke 22:14-20 ~ ...do this in remembrance of me. (cf. Matt. 26:26-30; 1Cor. 11:26) 2. As a means toward righteous living ~ 1Cor 11:27-34 ~ ...But let a man examine himself...
III. The church ordinances symbolize spiritual truths

A. Baptism symbolizes 1. Being placed into Christ ~ Rom. 6:3-7 ...all of us ... have been baptized into Christ Jesus... (cf. Col. 2:11-13; Gal. 3:27) 2. Being placed into the church ~ Acts 2:41,42 ~ ...and there were added [to the church] that day about three thousand souls. (cf. 1Cor 12:12-14) B. Lord s Supper symbolizes Lords 1. The death of Christ ~ 1Cor. 11:23-26 ~ ...you proclaim the Lords death... (cf. Matt. 26:26-29) 2. Union with the church ~ 1Cor. 10:14-18 ~ Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body... 3. Separation from the world ~ 1Cor. 10:19-22 ~ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons...
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 3 8 TH E CH U R C H OR D I N A N C E S
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
hrist instituted two ordinances that His followers were to observe; baptism as a one-time rite of initiation and the Lords Supper as a regular rite of remembrance. These ordinances communicate, seal, and confirm the possession of spiritual blessings by believers, who by responsively receiving the ordinances give expression of their faith in God and their allegiance to Him. The effect is to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church and the rest of the world, and to solemnly engage them to the service of God in Christ... (Westminster Confession XXVII.1). aptism signifies inward cleansing, remission of sin, Spirit-wrought regeneration, new life, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit as Gods seal. Baptism carries these meanings because it fundamentally signifies our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection ~ thus it signifies a watershed point in a persons life as an ingrafting into Christs risen life. he Lords Supper is an act of worship taking the form of a ceremonial meal, wherein Christs servants share the elements in memory and celebration of the New Covenant relationship with God through Christ. The Lords Supper has three levels of meaning: first, it has past reference to the death of Christ. Secondly, it has present reference to our corporate feeding and abiding in Him by faith ~ with implications as to how we should treat our fellow believers and how we should examine our relationship with the Lord (1Cor. 11:18-34). And thirdly, it has a future reference as we look ahead and are encouraged by the thought of Christs return.
Notes
B T
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: In obedience to Christ I must receive His baptism and continually partake of His table. (Acts. 2:41,42) HOMEWORK:
Read key passages daily. Read Grudem chapters 49 and 50.

S E C T I O N 38 TH E CH U R C H ORDINANCES
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
S E C T I O N 39 PERSONAL ES C H A TOLOGY AT
PERSONAL ESCHATOLOGY
Physical death is the temporary separation of the soul from the earthly body , after which the body, unsaved soul is cast into torment and the redeemed soul enters into glory until the bodily resurrection and judgment unto everlasting punishment or eternal life.
39
C T I
Daniel 12:1-3 Luke 16:19-31 John 5:24-29 1Corinthians 15:12-58 2Corinthians 5:1-9 Philippians 1:21-23
Memory Verse
John 5:28,29
n hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed evil deeds to a resurrection of judgement.
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. Physical death
A. Is the separation of soul and body ~ James 2:26 ~ ...the body without the spirit is dead... (cf. 2Cor. 5:8) 1. The body decays ~ Gen. 3:19 ~ ... For you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (cf. 1Cor. 15:42,43; Job 21:23-26; Ecc. 3:20) 2. The soul remains conscious a. For the unsaved ~ Luke 16:19-31 ~ ... And in Hades he lifted up his eyes being in torment...And he cried out... (cf. Matt. 8:11,12; 22: 13) b. For the saved ~ Rev. 6:9-11 ~ I saw...the souls of those who had been slain...and they cried out... (cf. Luke 16:25-31; Matt 17:3) B. Is the result of the fall ~ Gen. 2:17 ~ ... in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die. (cf. Gen. 5:5; Rom. 5: 12-21; 1Cor. 15:22)
II. After Death

A. The unsaved soul is cast into torment ~ Matt. 8:11,12 ~ ... shall be cast out into the outer darkness... there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (cf. 22:13; 24:48-51; Luke 13:27-28) B. The redeemed soul enters into glory ~ 2Cor. 5:8 ~... to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. (cf. Phil. 1:21-24; Luke 23:43; 2Ki. 2:11)
III. This state continues until

A. The bodily resurrection of all ~ John 5:24-29 ~ ... an hour is coming ... when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and ... shall live. (cf. Dan. 12: 1-3; Matt. 25:31-46) 1. Those who are saved ~ Rev. 20:4 ~ ...they lived and reigned with Christ... (cf. 1Cor. 15: 35-58; 1Thess 4: 13-18) 2. Those who are unsaved ~ Rev. 20:5,11-14 ~ The rest of the dead ... standing before the throne. B. The judgment ~ Heb. 9:27 ~ ...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment...(cf. Rom. 2: 16) 1. Everlasting punishment for the unsaved ~ Rev. 20:11-15 ~ ... I saw a great white throne... and the dead were judged... this is the second death... (cf. Rev. 21:8; 22:15; 2Thess. 1:7-9) 2. The redeemed unto glory ~ Rev. 22:14 ~ Blessed are those who... may have the right to the tree of life... (cf. Rev. 20:4-6; 21:27; Rom. 8:18-38)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
Notes
hat is death? Ecclesiastes refers to death as the separation of the body from the soul/spirit; ...the dust returns to the earth... the spirit returns to God.... This is reminiscent of Genesis 2:7 and 3:19, and of James 2:26. So what we are dealing with is the cessation of life in its familiar bodily state. This is not the end of existence, however. Life and death are not to be thought of as existence and nonexistence, but as two different states of existence. Death is simply a transition to a different mode of existence; it is not extinction.
n addition to physical death, Scripture speaks of spiritual and eternal death. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body; spiritual death is the separation of the person from God; and eternal death is the finalizing of spiritual death, as those people are lost forever in their sinful condition. ooking on death as indeed an enemy, the unbeliever sees nothing positive in it and recoils from it in fear. Paul, however, was able to take an entirely different attitude toward it. He saw death as a conquered enemy, an erstwhile foe, which now is forced to do the Lords will. So Paul viewed death as desirable, for it would bring him into the presence of the Lord. The believer can thus face the prospect of death with the knowledge that its effects are not final, for death itself has been destroyed (1Cor 15:54,55).
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Because of His gracious redemption and lovingkindness toward me, I will never face the condemnation of sin nor the sting of death, but posses life eternal in His glorious presence. (Psalm 73:21-28) HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem Chapter 41 & 56.
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 40 GE N E R A L ES C H A TOLOGY AT
GENERAL ESCHATOLOGY
The last things of this world will consist of the seventieth week of Daniel, the millennial kingdom, and the final judgment; followed by the new heavens and earth for eternity . eternity.
40
C T I
Daniel 9 & 12 Matthew 24 Revelation 6-8, 20-22
Memory Verse
Matthew 24:30
nd then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky , sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory . glory.
S E C T I O N 40 GE N E R A L ES C H A TOLOGY AT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes
I. The last things of this world are found in

A. The prophecy of Daniel ~ Dan. 12:6-13 ~How long will it be until the end... B. The prophecy of Christ ~ Matt. 24:3-4 ~...Tell us...what will be the sign... C. The prophecy of John ~ Rev. 1:19 ~...which shall take place after these things. D. The prophecy of Paul ~ II Thes. 2:1-11
II. The last things will consist of

A. The seventieth week of Daniel ~ Dan. 9:24-27 ~ Seventy weeks have been decreed... after [sixty nine] weeks the Messiah will be cut off... and he [the prince] will make a firm covenant with many for one week... 1. The beginning of sorrows ~ Matt 24:3-8 ~ ...these things are merely the beginning... (cf. Mark 13:5-8; Rev. 6:1-8) 2. The great tribulation ~ Matt 24:9-28 ~ then...a great tribulation... (cf. Dan. 11:36-12:1; Mark 13:9-23; 2Thes. 2:1-4; Rev. 6:9-11) 3. The rapture of the church ~ Matt. 24:29-31 ~ ...He will ...gather together His elect... (cf. Mark 13:24-27; 1Thes. 4:16,17, 5:9; Rev. 3: 10) 4. The Day of the LORD ~ 1Thes. 5:1-6 ~ ...the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. (cf. Rev. 6:12-18; Isa. 13:6-13; Mal. 4:1; Joel 1:14-2:11; Mark 13:24,25; Matt. 24:27-44; 2Pet. 3:7, 10-12; Rev. 8:1-13) B. The Millennial Kingdom ~ Rev. 20:1-6 ~ ...reigned with Christ for a thousand years... (cf. Isa. 60-62; Eze. 40-48) C. The final judgment ~ Matt. 16:27 ~ ...the Son of man is going to come...and will then recompense [all] ... (cf. Acts 10:42; 2Tim. 4:1; Matt. 25:31-46) 1. Of Satan, the beast, & false prophet ~ Rev. 20:10 2. Of sinners ~ Rev. 20:11-15 3. Of saints ~ Rev. 20:4-6 ~ (cf. 2Cor. 5: 10; Acts 10:42)
III. Finally comes

A. The new heavens and new earth ~ 1. The first heavens and earth will pass away ~ Rev. 21:1 ~ ...for the first heaven and the first earth passed away... (cf. Rev. 20:11; II Pet. 3:10-12) 2. All things are made new ~ Rev. 21:1 ~ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth... (cf. 2Pet. 3:13; Isa. 65: 17; 66:22) B. For eternity ~ Rev 22:5 ~ ...and they shall reign forever and ever. (cf. Dan. 7: 18,27)
D OCTRINAL LESSON
SE C T I O N 40 GE N E R A L ES C H A TOLOGY AT
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
schatology answers mans natural question; Will the generations of men come and go in endless succession and finally sink into oblivion, or is the race of men and the whole creation moving on to some divine telos, an end designed by God? he Stoics spoke of successive world cycles, and the Buddhists of world ages ~ in each of which a new world appears and disappears again and again. In these religions, all is vague and uncertain. It is only Christianity that presents an end time that has a greater precision and carries an assurance that the end is of divine design. schatology is the crown and capstone of theology. It answers the questions of how God is perfectly glorified in the works of His hands, how the counsel of God is finally realized, how the disrupting influence of sin is overcome, how the work of Christ is crowned in perfect victory, how the Holy Spirit completely redeems and glorifies the people of God, and how the Church ~ the Bride of Christ ~ is brought together to her Bridegroom in glory. schatology sheds a clear light on every section of theology; Gods saving plan and His communion with His people, the permanent significance of the Redeemer in the forgiveness of sin ~ all these are asserted without reservation. In Bible eschatology, the communion between God and man is set forth as completed; and therefore, Christianity presents the culmination of all things in its purity ~ not as an ideal, which is never realized, but as perfect reality.
Notes
E T E E
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE: Having received all of these great teachings of the Bible, I am to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, faithfully growing in grace, diligently and patiently looking for the sign of His coming. (2Peter 3: 14-18; Revelation 22:6-21) Amen. HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages twice this week. Read Grudem chapter 54 & 55.
S E C T I O N 40 GE N E R A L ES C H A TOLOGY AT
D OCTRINAL LESSON
Notes

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R ICHARD KERNS S COTT ARDA VANIS RDAV J AMES DOYLE R AY G LINSKI

G REA T D OCTRINES ~ P ART I ~ T HE B IBLE AND G OD REAT

G REA T D OCTRINES ~ P ART II ~ M A N AND S AL VATION REAT ALV

G REA T D OCTRINES ~ P ART III ~ S ANCTIFICA TION REAT ANCTIFICATION

G REA T D OCTRINES ~ P ART IV ~ T H E C HURCH AND E SCHA TOLOGY REAT SCHATOLOGY

SECTION 1 GO D COMMUNICA TES TO MA N OMMUNICATES

GOD COMMUNICATES TO MAN

S ECTION 1 GO D COMMUNICA TES TO MAN OMMUNICATES

I. Revelation ~ God unveils the truth

II. Inspiration ~ God records the truth

III. Illumination ~ God enlightens man

PART 1~SECTION 1~PAGE 2

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD

SECTION 1 GO D COMMUNICA TES TO MA N OMMUNICATES

AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE:

Read the Key Passages daily. Read Grudem Chapters 2 & 4.

S ECTION 1 GO D COMMUNICA TES TO MAN OMMUNICATES

PART 1~SECTION 1~PAGE 4

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD

SECTION 2 TH E BIBLE I S COMPLETE

THE BIBLE IS COMPLETE

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD

PART 1~SECTION 2 ~PAGE 1

S ECTION 2 TH E BIBLE IS COMPLETE

A. Internal affirmation of the OT

SECTION 2 TH E BIBLE I S COMPLETE

AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE:

Read the Key Passages daily. Read Grudem chapter 3.

S ECTION 2 TH E BIBLE I S COMPLETE

PART 1~SECTION 2 ~PAGE 4

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD

S ECTION 3 JESUS CHRIST AND TH E BIBLE

JESUS CHRIST AND THE BIBLE

S ECTION 3 JESUS CHRIST AND TH E BIBLE

PART 1~SECTION 3 ~PAGE 2

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD

S ECTION 3 JESUS CHRIST AND TH E BIBLE

Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem Chapter 5.

S ECTION 3 JESUS CHRIST AND TH E BIBLE

PART 1~SECTION3 ~PAGE 4

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD

SECTION 4 TH E TRIUNE GO D O FT H E BIBLE

THE TRIUNE GOD OF THE BIBLE

John 14 Isaiah 48:6-19

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD

PART 1~SECTION 4~PAGE 1

S ECTION 4 TH E TRIUNE GO D O F TH E BIBLE

IV . The Godhead is a Plural One IV.

SECTION 4 TH E TRIUNE GO D O F TH E BIBLE

Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem Chapter 14.

S ECTION 4 TH E TRIUNE GO D TH E BIBLE

PART 1~SECTION4 ~PAGE 4

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD

SECTION 5 TH E BEING AND NATURE O F GO D

THE BEING AND NATURE OF GOD

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD

PART 1~SECTION 5~PAGE 1

S ECTION 5 TH E BEING AND NATURE O F GO D

II. God inherently possesses infinite excellencies which reveal His...

SECTION 5 TH E BEING AND NATURE O F GO D

Read the central passages daily. Read Grudem Chapter 11.

S ECTION 5 TH E BEING AND NATURE O F GO D

GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD