Jesus, the Elected Head, of His People

I want to ponder something with you. I want to ponder how in control of salvation our God is; how in control God is of all creation and the salvation worked out in space-time history. And we are going to do that by spending very little time talking about history at all. Because I want to go back. Way back. I want to back to before Genesis 1:1. How do we do that? By looking at texts that reference before time. How do we get from the Triune God [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] existing in and of himself in glory, to not just his act of creation, but his act of ordering our salvation in this creation? There are far too many terrible, and unbiblical answers to this.

For instance, some wrongly think that God did not elect you. He didn't elect, anyone in eternity past. Instead, they think God way back then chose faith, or an amorphous mass. They think God chose the act of faithing as the grounds of salvation. And therefore, they think God does not know who will choose him. He only knows that faith is the means of salvation. because that’s what he set up. But is that what the Bible actually teaches? Let's compare that to the Scriptures. Is that true?

Listen to Eph 1:3-4:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  (4)  even as he [the Father] chose us [the church (the Bride of Christ) individually and as a whole] in him [Jesus. When?] before the foundation of the world…"

Let's simplify that a little bit. In eternity past, God the Father chose us to be represented by his Son. Now, that also means God the Father, before he chose us, chose the Son. You can’t complain there is no free will, if even the Son of God is chosen before time began.

Listen to how the author of Hebrews puts it in Hebrews 5:4-5

"No one takes this honor for himself, [The author of Hebrews is talking about taking the office of High Priest to himself. No one may take it. Instead, it is bestowed. God bestows it on sinners in the Old Testament. But he's about to apply the idea to Jesus. Therefore, the office of Savior, of Messiah, of Covenant Head cannot be taken; it cannot be bid for; it cannot be earned. It is bestowed. And such bestowal is indeed an honor. But the Father bestowed such an office on the Son.] but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.  (5)  So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed [elected, selected, chosen] by him [The Father] who said to him [to Jesus], “You are my Son, [That has to be the Father speaking] today I have begotten you”;

The Father chose the Son to be a representative. And the Father - not the Son, or the Holy Spirit - chose you in His chosen Son. Jesus didn't choose himself. Nor did the Father choose the Spirit. The Father chose the Son. He chose the Second Person of the Trinity. And that occurred, according to Ephesians 1, before Genesis 1:1! That occurred “before the foundation of the world.” So, before time began. Jesus was elected by the Father, before you were elected in Jesus. Now, what does elected mean? It means "chosen." The same way husbands and wives, you chose a spouse. The same way kids, you choose each other in kick ball. Except here, its applicable to salvation. The Father chose the Son to be Savior. The Father selected the Son to be the representative of his people. The Son didn't offer himself for the position. He didn't apply for the job. He never said, "Hey choose me." He didn’t call his own number. Neither did the Holy Spirit.

So then, before God the Father chose us in Jesus; God the Father chose Jesus. Not “a” Jesus; not a Hebrew man 2,000 years; nor faith as a concept; nor humility as an action. The Father appointed the Son to represent those of fallen sinful humanity he chose to save. But that means TWO ENORMOUS THINGS, which again the author of Hebrews focuses on.

Note Hebrews 1:1-2 

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,  (2)  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he [the Father] appointed the heir [Jesus] of all things, through whom [Jesus] also he [the Father] created the world.

So, the Father selected the Son TO BE HIS HEIR, AND through whom the Father created the world. Now, some people think that all that means is that the Father created all things, through the work of the Son, the same way a boss works through his workers, or the same way an older brother tells his younger brother what to do to benefit himself. Nope! But that is not actually what the author of Hebrews is saying. He isn't merely saying Jesus was the instrument the Father used to make creation. He is saying that. But, he is also saying Jesus was before time and creation began. The Father assigned the Second Person of the Trinity to be the Heir of Creation, before the Creation was created. Jesus’ office of Savior was appointed by the Father before God created. But as Heir of All Things - as Heir of Creation - creation, the universe, was made for Jesus. And especially for his office of Savior. The whole universe was created for the purpose of being redeemed.

Jesus isn't just the source from which creation was created. Jesus wasn't just the Father's instrument of creation. The world is defined by Jesus, bends towards Jesus' will, and its beginning, middle, and end, is for Jesus, the Savior's, redeeming, new-life creating, darkness-and evil-defeating, work.

That means there is no bug, no animal, no waterfall, no hard time, no good time, no math problem, no science problem, no political scenario, that comes about apart from him, but by the nature of his office of “Heir” and “Head” comes from his wisdom, and is part of his plan and agenda for this world. The breath you breathe, the chair you're sitting in; your breath was made to return to its maker. Your chair ultimately fulfills one goal: the glory of the Christ.

And Paul sings God's praise for this.

Romans 11:36 puts it this way,

"For from him [that is Jesus is the head over creation, and Jesus’ position as Savior is the goal of creation. For from him … ] and through him [that is by his agenda, and by his power, and his instrumentality] and to him [that means the goal of every possible entity is to be bent toward his glory now and in the future. What things?] are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

Hallelujah! Jesus reigns on high. The one who was appointed Heir and Head by his Father, is not sitting at the right hand of God in heaven. And whether now or when he returns, all the cosmos, all the universe is made and built to sing his glory.

So, now I want to go back to where we started.

All of that has to be true BEFORE God elects us in Christ.

Given that the Father set Jesus up to define for his own salvation; given that the Father chose the Son to wield creation to his own glory …

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  (4)  even as he [the Father] chose us [Christians (the church), individually and as a whole] in him [Jesus. When?] before the foundation of the world…"

Blessed be our Triune God, and His Christ.

The Total Depravity of All Mankind, Part 1

The Biblical Fact of Total Depravity:

How do you view natural man? As good? How do you view yourself in your sin? Are you mostly good, but do some bad things? The Bible's testimony of the moral/spiritual quality of man is clear: man, in his sin, in his fallen nature, and even the fleshly-remaining part of the Christian, is morally depraved.

The Old Testament Witness:

The doctrine of Total Depravity is certainly an Old Testament reality.

Genesis 6:5  The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

But there are many more texts. Go look up: Job 14:4, Psalm 14:1-4, Psalm 51, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Jeremiah 17:9

But what about the New Testament? Realize, we don’t believe there are different gods in the Old Testament in comparison to the New. We believe the same Triune God worked in both. And therefore, we should find a consistency of doctrine from Old Testament to New Testament.

The New Testament Witness:

Romans 3:10-18  as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;  (11)  no one understands; no one seeks for God.  (12)  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."  (13)  "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips."  (14)  "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness."  (15)  "Their feet are swift to shed blood;  (16)  in their paths are ruin and misery,  (17)  and the way of peace they have not known."  (18)  "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Notice the New Testament text of Romans 3 is literally quoting Old Testament texts. Together they testify inerrantly that man is guilty of sin, a sinner, sins, is liable for God’s eternal wrath in hell, and to the miseries of this life. But there are numerous other texts that make the same point. Even Jesus will teaches us that nothing good comes out of the heart of men. Go read: Matthew 15:16-20, Mark 7:18-23, Romans 1:28-32, Ephesians 2:1-3, and Galatians 5:19-21.

The Clarification of the Doctrine:

But, by "Total Depravity" we do not mean that man is as bad as he could be. Satan, we could argue, is the most evil being. But every person is not Satan. Adolph Hitler, we could argue, is one of the most evil persons to ever have existed. Every person is not Hitler though. That's not what we mean. The "total" of "total depravity" does not modify "depravity." We are not saying "all people are as bad as they could be." Rather the "total" of "total depravity" references all the aspects of the internal thought world of man. In this sense, "total" means "comprehensive." We are saying that man is comprehensively depraved.

For instance, you parents, why do you not have to teach a child to disobey? Why do they know how to disobey naturally? Who taught them, if they are indeed morally neutral or good? They don’t need teaching! If you’re a parent, you know what I mean. How come your pre-one-year-old seems to get angry at you for feeding them, putting them to bed, getting them up, WRONG!? But manners, politeness, or cleaning their rooms - why is that an act of divine power when it happens!? Or, why are your motives for obedience also tainted with self-love? It is because man's will is in subjection to his corrupt nature.

But the doctrine of Total Depravity is entirely practical. It destroys any argument for the validity of pride or arrogance. When you lose a child, when you lose a job, when you serve the Lord and bad things happen, it’s easy - and immoral - to tell yourself, “God, you’re wrong for taking this away from me. If I were God, I would have given it to myself.” Who are you, O man! Is it not right and appropriate, that, when we go through real, dark, and deep travail of soul, over sin, over pain, over loss, that we first recognize THAT I AM NOT OWED ANY GOOD THING FROM GOD. In your sinfulness, you are first owed his wrath, and the miseries of this life. But if you thought you were owed something from God, you’d be prideful and thankless when you have something good. But considering that you are owed God’s wrath, and the miseries of this life, then the children we do have, an imperfect job that provides for my family, and a humble place to serve in the kingdom, are things we can be thankful for. And when loss of a child, firing, or self-forgetting service in the kingdom comes - while the pain and loss is real, and deep - you don’t have to get mad at God, you don’t have to doubt his love, because your sin renders you worthy of the worst miseries in this life. And while some miseries are genuinely hard, and dark - they are not THE WORST. But God knows the loss you suffer, because he sent his Son to die on the cross for your sin - in a more brutal death than any of us will ever experience. He knows. You’re not forgotten. But that doesn’t mean we may lie to ourselves about how worthy or good we are.

Man's rebellion against God is the moral quality of his entire internal thought world. By "depraved" we mean man is not only "not righteous before God", he doesn't want to be righteous, and he cannot be righteous; he doesn't like God, and he does want to be like God. He wants to be God in every area of his life. But he’d prefer to kill God. Righteousness according to God and the Bible is disgusting to natural man. Man is morally and spiritually warped. He is a rebel before God.

Think of it this way: every other religion thinks man is basically good. But such a position is a demonstration of man's moral depravity. We will call evil "good" in every other religion in order to escape the reality of having been judged by the thrice-holy God. And there is no part of man that isn't controlled by his rebellion. There is no part that is morally good, or acceptable to God. You are dead to God, in your trespasses and sin:

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins (2) in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— (3) among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Acts 1:21-26: The Church by the Spirit and the Word replaces Judas

Acts 1:13  And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.  14  All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.  15  In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16  "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.  17  For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry."  18  (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.  19  And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)  20  "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.'  21  So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,  22  beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."  23  And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24  And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen  25  to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."  26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Solution Prompted by the Scriptures (1:21-26)

Peter continues. In fact, he comes to a biblically reasoned conclusion.

21  So [that is, "therefore." And he begins to list the qualifications for being nominated as an apostle. And there ARE qualifications for apostleship. Now, as we read think about whether or not anyone may meet these qualifications today. We will find here four qualifications. FIRST,] one of the men [So, he must be a man. He must be a man because he must exercise authority as an apostle. And the Bible does not grant women the authority of any office in the church. Listen to Paul in 1 Timothy 2:12, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet." Despite what some liberals think about Junia or Mary, they were not apostles. But, he adds a SECOND one] who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [so throughout his earthly ministry]  22  beginning from the baptism of John [by the Jordan] until the day when he was taken up from us [So, his ascension, which just occurred. So, a candidate for apostle must have journeyed with Jesus and the apostles, he must have been a disciple for at least three years, AND must have been there from John's baptism all the way up through until Jesus was taken away to the right hand of God in 1:9. So, the second qualification is being a conscious disciple and present for the whole duration of Jesus ministry.

THAT MEANS, no matter what the charismatic and Pentecostal churches tell you, NO ONE MAY BE AN APOSTLE TODAY. I don't care what "apostle Joe" who ministers down on the beltline tells Mobile. He is not an apostle. Because he does not fit the BIBLICAL criteria. And if there are men and women today still preaching the error that there are apostles today, then they are clearly ignoring God's Word, and should be rejected. They are not "of the Lord." And get this we've only hit the first two qualifications. There are two more. And therefore, if you're tempted to go to a church, or follow people, or listen to sermons from "an apostle" you're being duped and lied to. There are all sorts of people in the world and church today who will just take to themselves offices and functions. Beware! Don't be so easily fooled, even if they are nice. Instead listen to the apostolic authority, and to the apostle Peter, as worked out in our text. Listen to God's holy, inerrant and life-giving Word. There is your sure ground. Not the babblings - at best - or the lies - at worst - of false prophets. In fact, you have all the apostolic authority and content you need in the Scriptures. Everything we needed from the apostles pertaining to revelation you have … in your Bible.

And so Peter lays one more out, THIRD] --one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." [A candidate for apostle had to have been a witness to the resurrected Jesus. Remember, Jesus revealed himself to more than 500 after his resurrection. But not all of them meet those qualification.

Ask the obvious question. Does the man or woman who claims to be an apostle, also claim to have seen the resurrected Jesus!? Not in a dream. In a real manifestation of the glorified, resurrected Christ. IF NOT, then he cannot claim apostleship. He is a liar.

But then. Peter lastly throws in a FOURTH qualification … ]  23  And they [not the apostles. Nomination for apostle, just as nomination for any office, is not from the apostles to a person to be included in their office. No. That's a great way to institute corruption, nepotism, and favoritism. Instead, the "they" here is not the apostles, but its the 120. It's the church; the congregation. They - the 120 disciples (the continuing Israel of God) - put forward ONLY two names. They ran through the qualifications: #1) a man, #2) a disciple from the first and throughout, #3) a witness of the resurrected Jesus, and #4) NOMINATED BY THE CHURCH. Not self-nominated. Not dubbed. Not claimed by one's self. But nominated by the CHURCH. The church they are serving.

If any one of those qualifications are missing, then a man simply cannot be an apostle. So, I will repeat myself. Given the fact that no one today is chosen by the church to be an apostle, AND no one since this time has seen the resurrected Jesus, THEN … NO ONE MAY TAKE THE OFFICE OF APOSTLE, nor function as an apostle, today. There is a four-step succession plan. And no one today meets the criteria. Therefore, the New Apostolic Reformation is kaput; its Dead on Arrival. In fact, of all the 120 they only …] put forward two, … [a man named] Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, [whose name we will never see again] and Matthias. [whose name we will also never see again. Those men were set forward by the 120 to the apostles, as candidates for apostle. I'll also say this now. If your church doesn't do elections like this, more than likely you're not in a Biblical church that follows the apostolic practices and steps of ordaining, calling, and installing church officers (elders and deacons). Because, as we will see in chapter 6, they are all done the same way. And our church ought to the exact same format of church nomination. Surprise, surprise. We didn't make up how officers are chosen. Acts 6 follows the same plan for deacons. We set out the qualifications for elder and deacon according to the Bible in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. We inform you who is available for nomination. There's no candidating. There's no prom king and queen vote. There's not politicking. You nominate who you think meets those qualifications. And eventually we gather you back together, after training them, and you vote on whose qualified. BUT the apostles didn't vote, here. The CONGREGATION did. But that means one of the first graces Jesus gives to the church for his glory and our good is the crown rights of: discerning and voting on the qualified officers of this church. This is the first congregational meeting, AND the first church vote. WE DIDN'T INVENT THEM. They are biblical practices. And if Jesus were not empowering it because he's ruling above from his throne, blessing his ordinances, it would have been null and void.

Beloved, please, begin to see the nominations and elections of officers as just one of the many wonderful CROWN RIGHTS JESUS GIVES TO YOU. Don't squander it. Don't poopoo it as "another meeting." Rebuke yourself for any thoughts that degrades the apparatus Jesus sets up in his church. Jesus is summoning you to use your kingdom privileges for his glory and the healthy spread of his church.

And if you're in a church where these rights are denied to you: run. If it's not top-down, it's good ole boy - and neither are what's best for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So the church nominates, but it is not the church who calls. It is the Lord himself - the reigning King Jesus - who calls, and whose power is wielded to make a new officer.]  24  And they [the 120 and the apostles] prayed and said, "You, Lord, [they are praying to the Father about the Kingship of Christ; about his fitness to decide and bless.] who know the hearts of all, [those voting, these men, and the apostles] show which one of these two YOU have chosen  25  to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." [There's only one spot. Remember, Judas Iscariot murdered himself. He was cursed by God. His lot as an apostle was vacated. But there are two nominations. And again, they use a God-ordered means of making decisions. Proverbs 16:33  "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." King Jesus' will was revealed through the casting of lots.]  26  And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, [Now, that doesn't mean we should still cast lots today for these decisions. But, that was the prescribed method here. And King Jesus, honored by the faith of his apostles and people, swayed his scepter and made effective his will through this means.] and he [that is, Matthias] was numbered with the eleven apostles.

[So, the twelve apostles are twelve again. And the 120 with the apostles are now re-constituted as the continuing church. They are and now function as the New Israel of God. 12 Tribes fade out. And the renewed 12 apostles fade in. The New Jerusalem worshipping the ruling and reigning Christ, are honoring him by his means, praying to him, communing with him, believing Him.

And today your voting in your churches is also important. It is the continuation of the apostolic ministry. Use God's rubric for each office. Elect holy men, not world-gifted men. Elect men who will function as shepherds in your congregation, who will care for your souls, care for sound doctrine, care for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached, care to see the Church preserved, and Christ honored. Christ is honored when the Word is followed, and the Spirit gives graces, for biblically qualified men.] 

The Solution Prompted by the Sufficient Scriptures

Acts 1:13-20: The problem of Judas' suicide for the continuing Israel (the church)

Acts 1:13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.'  21  So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."  23  And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.  24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25  to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."  26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Problem Created by Judas' Suicide (1:13-20)

The apostles go back to the very place they last communed with Jesus: in the Upper Room. Remember, in that same room he gave them the Lord's Supper.

13 And when they had entered, [Jerusalem] they went up to the upper room, [which was in a house very close to the Temple, as we will see next chapter] where they were staying, [It appears to be in a larger home where they are all lodging. But notice what Luke, by the Spirit, does. He doesn't just mention that the church comes back. He simply gives us the names of the apostles. And a simple count will lead us to conclude to the bad number of 11, not 12.] Peter and John and James and Andrew, (4) Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, (8) James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. (11) [No Thaddeus. Actually, Thaddeus is there, because his Jewish name was more than likely Judas. But, no … Judas Iscariot! That had to be conscious on the minds and hearts of the apostles. They had never suspected Judas. And Luke wants you to feel the sense of … "but there should be 12!" The sense of disappointment is valid here. It's not supposed to be this way. Well, it is, in the sense that providentially speaking God has crafted this situation. But, as far as the ideals of being the continuing church, it isn't: there should be 12. 12 apostles as the continuation of Israel which was made of 12 tribes. Theological symbols matter. 11 wont cut it. There must be 12 to be the continuing church.

But, unlike modern American spirituality, they didn't interpret Jesus' command to "wait" as twiddling their thumbs, sitting a metaphorical rocking chair "waiting" to be acted upon. No, they're waiting was very active.]  14  All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, [They are spending their time communing with the resurrected and ascended Jesus. They are praying both individually and corporately. They miss their Savior, their mentor. He was the one who told them to wait. So how will they wait? By waiting in his presence, in prayer, in communion with him. Afterall, now that Jesus is sitting on the right hand of the throne, they are represented by him to the Father, have access to the Father through Him, and have communion with their God by faith. And, they all did it. It wasn't "the prayer warriors of the apostles." It was all of them. The spiritual children that we saw in the gospels are now maturing, waiting and biding their time in prayer. Do you know what this is!? It's the first prayer service of the church!

When you have to wait, when you have a big decision, when you need discernment, when things according to God's Word and agenda just don't seem quite right - where do you run? Netflix? YouTube? Games? Old reruns? Do you seek pastoral advice first, before you run to your Lord and Savior, in both private and corporate prayer? Do you treat technology, foods, drugs, sin as that which grounds your soul? You're violating the first commandment if you do. You're placing something else, or someone else, over resting in your God and Savior. Or, do you run to Christian friends, counselors, pastors? That's all well and good. But have you considered you might be using the church and her officers as an excuse to not to run to Christ in communing prayer? I know what you're thinking, "I would never!" Yes, you would. Because we all do it. And I'll prove it. How many of us when we are vexed, waiting in faith and hope, love, love, love, CORPORATE PRAYER with the saints!? Almost none of us. How is your prayer life? How necessary to your spiritual health do you think corporate prayer is? You see, you thought corporate prayer was just something the Western Church made up to bore their congregations to tears. Not so. Corporate prayer is an ordinance, a blessed institution in the kingdom of Christ, by King Jesus. We see it here, and we'll see it again at the end of chapter two, but do you see it in your own lives? Come back for our corporate prayer service. They prayed because it was in prayer they had communion in Christ and the rest of their souls. Prayer isn't powerful. The God who answers prayer, who communes with us in prayer, IS THE MESSIAH. HE is power. And he communes with us as we pray. You were made for prayer.

But, these men weren't just praying by themselves, or with each other, but were …] together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. [Even Jesus' unbelieving family members now see the only way to commune with him is through faith in prayer! How amazing. In the gospels they are skeptics. But now, they are believers.

Now, this situation wasn't just for an afternoon. The apostles were coming in and out of the Upper Room. Remember, Jesus was with them … FOR FORTY DAYS. And there are fifty days between his death and Pentecost. So, they are in this state in Jerusalem for about ten days. They are coming in and out, devoting themselves to prayer, to each other, and to the Word, as we will see in a second. Because …] 15  In those days [that is, in the ten days between Jesus' ascension in 1:9 and Pentecost in chapter two] Peter stood up [the obvious problem above must be addressed.] among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) [and again, while I don't place a lot of emphasis on numerology, the fact that there's 120, a clear multiple of 12 should scream to you: ISRAEL (12 tribes (Old Testament), 12 apostles (New Testament), 120 people). But there is a problem, and it must be fixed. It's beautifully strange to see the young Christian (Peter), who was brash and cowardly in the recent past, in less than ten days of being around the resurrected Jesus, and after Jesus went and sat on high, that now, Peter is "the Problem Solver" of the bunch.] and said,  16  "Brothers, [the 120 with the other ten apostles.] the Scripture had to be fulfilled, [Whatever he says next happened because the Scriptures are true. What happened was not an accident. But it was prophesied of in the Old Testament. And their fulfillment is more important than the church's discomfort with, or the loss of, Judas' life.] which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David [Notice what Peter believes about the Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity. He believes the Holy Spirit breathed out the Old Testament. He believes the holy Spirit is a person. And that He spoke by the prophets. King David regularly spoke prophetically. About what? …] concerning Judas, [this would be Judas Iscariot. The one who murdered himself. And that's what all suicide is. It is self-murder. It is a sinful act. It is a faithless act. It violates the commandment, "you shall not murder."

We live in a society today that is not willing oftentimes to give self-murder a moral quality anymore. I'm sure they'll try to rebrand it sound better: life-averse, or something. But not only is suicide clearly sinful, but even self-murdering thoughts are sinful. If self-murder is wrong, then desiring, planning, or approving of self-murder is iniquity against God. And therefore, don't look at Judas and say "I would never."

Firstly, you've had sinfully murderous thoughts every time you've gotten angry. But secondly, if you've even imagined your life, your friends, your family, your work, without you, you've had a suicidal thought. Now, on the one hand, I think most people who deal with sin seriously have had thoughts of suicide. But, on the other hand, Jesus atoned for them. More than that Jesus' righteous thought-world is imputed to us. You're treated by the Father, before the law of God, as though you've only ever had righteous thoughts about life. In fact, we are cleansed in mind by the power of the Spirit with the Word. We therefore don't have to give ourselves over to the hopelessness or faithlessness of such dark thoughts.

But Peter is saying, the Scripture do judge this as sin.

And Judas murdered himself because, it was he …] who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. [Judas, as we saw back in Matthew, betrayed Jesus with an act of fidelity, with the symbol of a kiss. His disloyalty came in the symbol of loyalty. That's how hard his heart was. You can only imagine the hurt, the pain, and the sadness that the apostles felt at Judas for his betrayal of their Messiah. And yet, none of that hurt comes up here. Instead, if the Scriptures had to be fulfilled in Judas, who betrayed Jesus, then the Scriptures even more clearly had to be fulfilled in Jesus.

And while it's no less heart-breaking, it means Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension, was planned by God and foretold.

And now, finally, after Jesus' ascension, they are maturing in their response to what happened.

And it means Judas' loss to the apostles is also planned. Their being eleven was not a setback, or shock for God.

Your big sins, your small sins, are not a shock to God. It may be to you. But it's not to him.

He's written his Scriptures, and given salvation in such a way, so as to provide grace, removal, repentance, cleansing for your absolutely worst sins.] 17  For [here's Peter's point] he [Judas] was numbered among us [that is among the apostles] and was allotted his share in this ministry." [That is, he too had received an endowment from the Holy Spirit of gifts for his function. Did you notice how when the 72 went out two by two, Judas didn't come back saying, "Hey, Jesus, my gifts didn't work." It wasn't because he was really a believer and you can lose your salvation - no. It's because the kingdom of God is filled with wheat and tares; with believers and unbelievers. Jesus called Judas "the Son of Perdition." He was elected to be hardened in his sin. Yet, he wasn't just part of the kingdom; he was an one of the twelve apostles. But that means the Holy Spirit is not just poured out on believers, but on those pretending to be believers in the kingdom.

Are you pretending? This is how when there are people who have been anchors of the church, instrumental in your salvation and growth, yet they fall away from the church after a while, that while that is dreadfully sad, it shouldn't cause you to lose faith. Because Jesus really equipped them with gifts and abilities, but you were more alive to Christ in receiving the benefit of them, than they were in using them. You've heard me say, "Don't assume every PCA pastor is regenerate." Many beloved pastors have been caught in adultery and murdered themselves. Many stay forty years, retire, collect retirement benefits, but don't know Jesus personally. Many have been used by the Lord, but are dead in their trespasses and sins.

Judas too shared in the ministry, and was gifted. But wait … that means something.

If an officer can pretend; if even an apostle can fake it … then what about you? Could you not be faking this whole thing? Of course you could. We are pretty self-deceived and deceptive people. We can learn the lingo. We talk with the best of them. We can hear sermons then live however we want. We can have certain emotions on Sunday, and then shove them aside Monday through Saturday. We might even lead a gospel-oriented Bible Study, lead marriage retreats, and disciple others. Jesus saw Judas was faking it. Do you not think he doesn't see you? He does. He sees into your soul. He knows the difference between your fake thoughts and your real thoughts. But Judas doesn't have the opportunity to do what you may do now: Repent. Genuinely repent of your sin. Judas is burning in hell. You don't have to. Repent of your worldly thoughts. Because Judas gave himself over them. His shame led him to greater sin.]

18  (Now this man [Judas] acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, [Judas bought a field with his blood money. And there in that field he tied a rope and hung himself. Its reasonable that after a few days in heat that his body could so decompose that] falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. [That's pretty disgusting. Why would Luke, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible have those details in there for us to read?

Is it not to show the cursed state of Judas? Is it not to deter you or anyone from faking following Christ? Is it not as a warning to all fake Christians? These actions are not kept private. They get out.]

19  And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) [Every time people would pass by, they'd think of Judas infamous actions, and his being cursed by God.

Is that what we will remember of each other?] "Oh, he was a good chap, but made a shipwreck of his faith on the rocks of hypocrisy." [Will every time we think of each other be disappointment!? When we think of your time serving in the church as a teacher, a servant, a deacon, an elder, a pastor, will our thought be a call to sadness; a warning?

Because Judas left the eleven apostles in a biblically diagnosed precarious position.]  20  "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, …" [His office - one of the twelve apostles - has been vacated. There's now eleven. But the church can't move forward with just eleven apostles. But, the Scriptures, being sufficient, diagnose not just the problem, but the solution ….] and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.' [So, through prayer meetings, searching the Scripture, implementing them, and Christ approving and blessing their actions they realize … they need another apostle: a new "12th", to continue to be the continuing Israel.]

The Problem Created by Judas' Suicide

The Exaltation of Jesus, Part 1

I tend to think the American Christian church, and even the Reformed church neglects the doctrine of Jesus' Ascension, or Current Exaltation. Where is Jesus right now? What is he doing? Why does your knowledge of it matter to your walk with Christ?

Listen to Acts 1:9. This is the moment of his ascension, "And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight." That's it. It's subtle. They were watching and listening to him. He starts levitating. And a small cloud takes him up through the clouds. But then angels appear and interpret his leaving this way in v. 11, "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven…” So we have two word groups describing the ascension. We have "lifted up," and "taken up into heaven." But notice how Peter describes it to Luke in the next chapter, in Acts 2:32-33, "This Jesus God raised up [that's his resurrection], and of that we all are witnesses.  (33)  Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, …" [But that's an elaboration on his ascension. He didn't just leave us to go into the clouds. He didn't just go to heaven the way we leave Florida or Mississippi to come home to Mobile. Peter explains by the Holy Spirit that God the Father exalted Jesus the Messiah who died and rose again by seating him on the throne of exalted glory - the throne of the Messiah, the true throne of David: ruling from the position of the right hand of the Father. THAT's what happened in Acts 1:9. That is what Christ has been doing for the last two thousand years: ruling and reigning as the Messiah over all. The one who descended in the incarnation is also ascended to the right hand of the Father. (Ephesians 4). AND THIS HAS INNUMERABLE IMPLICATIONS FOR YOU AS A CHRISTIAN.]

1. it means your Messiah, who has brought you into union with him, he is now untouchable, seated on David's Throne.

Psa 2:1-7  Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?  (2)  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,  (3)  “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”  (4)  He who sits in the heavens laughs; [he mocks unbelievers!] the Lord holds them in derision.  (5)  Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,  (6)  “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”  (7)  I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. [an action of God’s wrath to this world of unbelief and unbelievers is the coronation of his Son, the Anointed One, the Messiah to his right hand. And David and Peter together are saying, he cannot be pulled off the throne.]

He cannot be ripped down. The greatest atheists and scientist have tried. He cannot be thwarted. Satan, the world, and the flesh, have yet to succeed in two thousand you. He cannot be assailed. Where are all the arrogant throughout time who made claims against Christ? Dead. But he is now. He is resurrected. And seated permanently on the throne of glory. He cannot be mutinied. He cannot lose. All flesh will rally against him and crash likes waves at the feet of his throne; destroying themselves; destroyed by the Messiah of God. Beloved, this is King Jesus. This is your Husband. He is victorious. And since He has won, and you are his wife by faith, you too shall overcome your sin and flesh and this world. Listen to how our brother Martin Luther puts it in his memorable hymn:

1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

4 That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!

In Christ, and with you all, (Mobile, AL)

Pastor Josh

5 Points of Calvinism (ish?)

The Four (or Four-and-a-half) Pointers:

 After the Reformed Church in the Netherlands answered the Arminians, a man name Moses Amyraut entered the debate. Amyraut was a French Reformed Theologian and Pastor from the very late 1500's to the mid 1660's.

Moses Amyraut

Amyraut was not arguing for Arminianism. In fact, it appears Amyraut in general agreed with the Five Points of Calvinism. Where Amyraut parted ways with the Five Points was in how best to articulate the crossroads between unconditional election and the atonement of Jesus. This view is called Amyraldianism, after - you guessed it - Amyraut. In the past in the United States, you could find this position in colonial Congregationalist and Presbyterian pockets, due to the influence of Pastor Richard Baxter, who was somewhat Amyraldian on this topic.

Richard Baxter (Boy, all these old pastors look the same)

Today you can find this view amongst Brethren churches, some Southern and Reformed Baptists, and Bible churches.

Amyraut taught that Jesus hypothetically died for all mankind (contrary to limited atonement) but, that God elected only some to salvation, not all. According to Amyraut, God did this by decreeing Christ's atonement before he decreed who was elect. This means the Father ordained Jesus to die for an amorphous mass, a hypothetical "all," as part of a new covenantal order.

Now, it is true that Jesus' death inaugurated a new covenantal order: the new covenant (Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 36, Hebrews 9 & 10). But what Amyraut meant by this is not what Reformed Theologians meant. Reformed theologians in general have believed, that, since the breaking of the covenant of works by Adam (Genesis 3), the only door into covenantal relationship with God is "by faith;" more specifically by faith in the coming Messiah (from the OT perspective) and by faith in the already-come Messiah (from the NT perspective). Not just that Jesus exists; but faith in his life for our righteousness, his death for our sins, and in his resurrection for our regeneration.

In contrast, Amyraut taught that Jesus died, not just to establish a new covenant, but a new way to interact with the covenant: by faith. That’s all. He didn’t elect people. He elected faith to be the means of conversion. Covenant theologians argued, "but that's not new!" To Amyraut it was. So all men (all people, not just the church) are under the new covenantal order (an idea Reformed Theologians would deny). But only those elected by the Father would respond with regenerate faith. This regenerate faith manifests itself by obedience. So then to Amyraut what's the difference between believers and unbelievers? Your faithfulness; not Christ's work. Many have called this position "hypothetical universalism." (You’re welcome for the big theological phrase.) But, as you can tell Amyraut's view starts getting into philosophical understandings of the decree of God, a form of universal atonement, and a denial of Christ's penal, substitutionary atonement, and therefore a confusion of faith with faithfulness as the cause for interacting with God's promises, which is legalism. For this reason the Westminster Confession of Faith intentionally denies Amyraldianism as an accurate depiction of the Bible and the Reformed Faith, saying:

WCF 3:6. As God has appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.

So, no. I’m sorry. We’re not trying to just be a bunch of meany heads. While many who call themselves Calvinists, don’t agree with all the Five Points, yet denying any one of the Five Points, including this one, certainly does not make you Reformed. The Five Points will stand and fall together, as we will begin to see in later posts.

In Christ, and with you all,

Pastor Joshua Sparkman

Current Sermon Series: Acts 1:6-8

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,  2  until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  3  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.  4  And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6  So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"  7  He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."  

The Work of Christ at Pentecost (vv.6-8)

The disciples appear to meet together in Jerusalem. 

6  So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" [Wait, what!? They are still unclear about the relationship of the church to the nation of Israel. It is true that the flourishing of God's people is central to the kingdom. But it is not true that that people exist in the mode of the nation of Israel. They are still thinking in terms of Old Covenant realities. And honestly, it's hard not to blame them. The Old Covenant is all they've ever known.

You and I do the same thing. We slip back into old ways of thinking. Or we presume worldly ways of thinking now in Christ. How often do you do that? How often to you import old values, old desires, into your walk with Christ?

But, the apostles certainly missed all Jesus' points in Matthew 21-25 about the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel is gone as God's people. Sure, the nation as a state still existed, but soon it wouldn’t. By A.D. 70 it would be crushed by the Romans, which Jesus prophesied in Matthew 25. But the church has emanated out from National Israel. It was always there, and now has been brought out. And the church - not the nation - is the fullest expression of Jesus' Bride. We are not waiting for God to fulfill specific promises to modern day Jerusalem. There are not promises just to ethnic or national Israel. The nation that was created in 1948, and who is in the middle of a war right now, is not the object of Yahweh's love. You (the church; the bride of Christ) are. And therefore, any church prayer or message that still treats modern Israel as the special people of God is wrong. Any churches that wave the Israelite flag, any Christian movements that prioritize Israel for theological reasons, are twisting Scripture. It's one thing to be pro-self defense for any nation. It's one thing to be pro-democracy in a nation. It's one thing to support a national ally. Those are all issues for people in all societies to have differences of opinion on. But it's another thing entirely for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ to declare the nation of Israel is still the Beloved of God. That theology within Christianity is called Dispensationalism. Within Judaism its called … Zionism. And Dispensationalism has only been around for about 140 years old. It's a belief, that though Jesus has already come to fulfill the Old Testament, that ultimately God wants to create a greater temple in Jerusalem and go back to the Old Testament ceremonial system. But that would be a denial of Jesus' fulfilling them. It's concluding the same wrong assumption that the apostles have here. And Jesus rebukes them.]  7  He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons [First, their assumption is wrong. Second, there will be a restoration of Israel, but as the prophet Joel showed us in prior sermons it will include the ingathering of the Gentiles. But, what God will do when he sees fit is not for them to know. And it's not for us to know. The secret things belong to the Lord. Only that which has been revealed to us in Scripture is ours (Deuteronomy 29:29). None of us know, when the total restoration of the God's people will occur. And that's why it's silly and sinful for these false teachers to arise every once in a while to declare the timing of Jesus' return. Jesus is applying Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

We don't live by God's secret will. That's why it's silly to presume to know, or live by, whether or not you're living in "the will of God." If by that you mean, "am I doing what he has commanded"? That's an excellent question! And it may be answered by a basic exposition of God's Word according to the agenda of the gospel. But, if by that you mean, "am I walking with secret knowledge about the providence of God for my life?" The answer to that will always be, “that's not for you know." Stop prying.

We live by the commanded Word alone. The restoration is] that [which] the Father has fixed by his own authority. [So, that's not to be our focus as the church. What then is?] 8  But [instead of living by secret knowledge, or by Old Covenant ideas …] you [the church] will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, [He's talking about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; the third person of the Trinity. This occurs in the very next chapter. THAT’s what the apostles and the 120 are to be occupied by. They are to be focused on the right power wielded in their hearts and souls by the Spirit. They are to be focused on another wonderful work of Christ: the Spirit’s abiding, tabernacling, and empowering the church to die to its sin, to create a redeemed community, and to share and spread the gospel. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to do the Great Commission.

This is why before every worship service, every sermon, every Bible study, every family devotion, we ask God, and ask the Holy Spirit, for equipping to understand the Word, and for power to share the good news with others.

If you're focused on the secret knowledge of God - you're in the wrong. If you're focused on worldly, carnal delight - you're in the wrong. If you're focused on Old Testament ideals - you're missing it. If you're mis-identifying your desires for kingdom desires - there's no power or grace from God for that. If you're focused on building your own little kingdom - that's not why you're indwelt by the Spirit. The outpouring of the Spirit is not for the individuals of the church to become the best version of themselves that they can be. No.

The out-pouring of the Spirit is so that … ] you will be my witnesses [The church now will be the arms and feet of Jesus' kingdom.

I have a question. When was the last time you were a witness for Christ? When was the last time you talked about the theology, ethics, or text of Scripture with someone else? Have you ever discipled anyone? That's not just my job. It's all our jobs. When was the last time you talked about Jesus with an unbeliever? Do you even know people outside the faith? Or are you confusing your self-righteous life with being a witness? Or, how many of you by your clear sin, are compromising your witness? How many of you, if your co-workers were to be asked, if you're a Christian, they'd be shocked that the answer is yes? You are not here for you. You are not here even for your family. You are here, and your family is here, to serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He lived for your righteousness, died for your sin, resurrected to give you new life, sent his Spirit to indwell you and empower you. Why? To live a West Mobile suburban life; to live comfortably? No. To be his witnesses! Not sharing your testimony, per se, though you may. But sharing Jesus' testimony.

Where?] in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." [Now in some sense v.8 actually give us the outline of the book of Acts. Chapters 1- 8 are focused solely in Jerusalem. Chapters 8-10 focus on the gospel going to Judea and Samaria. And Chapters 11-28 showcase the gospel going to "the ends of the earth," even before the mighty Caesar. But more than that, this text is oftentimes improperly used today.

Many churches will count themselves metaphorically as "Jerusalem," and their missions will be to Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts. And that is how they will minister. Except, it misunderstands one central reality. Our churches are not Jerusalem. We are "the uttermost parts of the world." We are the Gentiles, even though now we are the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).

But still the basic point is to go: go to your families, your friends, your co-workers, to the park, to your neighbors, share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ great work at Pentecost is to send his Holy Spirit to make you part of the church, equip for ministry, and to make you function as salt and light. But I wonder how many of us are functionally hyper-Calvinists. We don't share the good news because "that's not our personality," "that's not my gifting," "I don't have opportunity." You're sinning against Christ and the Holy Spirit; you're rejecting the purpose of the outpouring of the Spirit; if you're living for yourself, and you're unwilling to pour into others, or talk about the gospel with others. Instead, Christ frees you from such things. He will forgive you, and empower you by his Holy Spirit to live for his Kingdom glory. Hallelujah!]

Introducing: Current Sermon Series: Acts 1:1-5

Acts 1:1-5: In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,  2  until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  3  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.  4  And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

The Works of Christ from the first until Pentecost (vv.1-5)

Now, as soon as we jump into this text, we realize we are in a different genre of biblical book. Acts is New Testament history.

In the first book, O Theophilus, [So, recognize then there is a prequal to the book of Acts. And if we scan through the New Testament, we find in chapter one of the Gospel of Luke, the same reference to “Theophilus.” So then, it's proper to conclude that the book of Acts is a continuation of the story started in the book of Luke. In fact, we could easily call the book of Acts, "Second Luke." However, we don't know exactly who Theophilus is. It could be that he is a Christian Roman official who wants, or needs, to hear the official story of this new religious sect that has come out of Judaism. The reason I think he may be a Christian is because both Luke and Acts seem to have Luke referencing him with some kind of Christian affection.

But then we have to ask the question who is the "I" who is talking? And the answer is "Luke." Luke is a physician. He appears to be a Jewish convert to Christianity living in the Roman city of Troas. In fact, the first sixteen chapters of the book of Acts speak in term of the historical "they." But finally in Acts 16 when Paul stops in Troas (v.8), he receives revelation from the Spirit not to go into Asia. Instead, he received a dream to go to Macedonia. And suddenly, the narrative switches from "they" to "we," in Acts 16:1, "So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace…" What just happened!? Well … Luke was converted. And he joins Paul's entourage. And eventually he has the function within Paul's group of writing this history, the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

So, the author himself joins your spiritual family. How awesome is it Beloved, that you see the moment when a Bible writer converts to Christ!? Have you?

And he is commissioned by God under the apostles to write a history of the church from Jesus' first works all the way up to Paul's testimony to Caesar."

So, in the gospel of Luke Luke primarily focused on the mighty works of Christ … ] I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, [and the reason why he says "began to do and to teach" is because while Jesus did many wonderful redemptive events (in fact, the greatest of them all: his righteous life, his atoning death, his marvelous resurrection), including teach on the essentials of his kingdom ethic, there was much more to do, and much more to teach. And Jesus told his disciples this would be the case. Regarding the continuation of Jesus' works, Jesus said in John 14:12  “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." [First, note Jesus is preparing his disciples for the time after he ascends on high to the right hand of God, which will happen in our next section. But, second, Jesus isn't saying that the acts of his people would be greater than his own. That's literally not possible. But he is saying that his redemptive works would be spread through the church to a greater scope, that is, beyond Israel, to the Gentiles.

And Christian, did you realize you are part of this agenda? You’re only saved because the gospel of Jesus Christ came to you because John 14:12 is true. Will you not also take it others?

But, he made the same point about his teachings in John 16:12-13  “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  (13)  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth …" [And that is what the rest of the New Testament is. Christ, through the Holy Spirit, teaches us the rest of what he began to teach the disciples.

Have you ever looked at the New Testament this way? It is the completion of everything Jesus began to teach in the gospels. You lack nothing he gave to the church.

So then there is no division between Jesus' words in the gospel and Jesus' words in the rest of the New Testament. The same way, there is no division between the words of the Old Testament and the words of the New.

And now, here comes more revelation through the work of Luke. So, the gospel of Luke tracks Jesus' words and works from the beginning …] 2  until the day when he was taken up, [now, that sounds like past tense. And when he wrote that sentence it was past tense. But, it is literally the next event we will look at. So, "taken up" is not a reference to his resurrection from the dead, but to Jesus' ascension on high to the right hand of God. And there is a bit of time in between those events. But, he was taken up …] after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [That appears to be a time-reference to Jesus’ giving of the Great Commission. So these first two verses are all introduction to the book.

But, Luke goes on to talk about the works and teachings Jesus laid down in between his resurrection and his ascension. Did you know Jesus even did that? And its honestly quite remarkable.]  3  He [that is, Jesus] presented himself alive to them [that is, the apostles] after his suffering [that is, after the torture of the cross, after his death, after his burial, and after his resurrection] by many proofs, [Remember, Mary grabbed his feet; he appeared to the disciples in the closed room; Thomas stuck his hands into his torn side; they saw his nail-pierced hands; he appeared to the two on the road to Emmaus. All of this happening in his resurrected body; not as a phantasm, not as a ghost. But in the same body he had prior, just now transformed into a resurrected body. But he didn't just do this once, but …] appearing to them during forty days [So, he was regularly with them throughout this time between Passover and Pentecost. Clearly, he wasn't with them the entire fifty days. But, he continued to present himself over and over again. Why?] and speaking about the kingdom of God. [So they are still learning from him! He's giving them additional revelation! And there's no reason to think we don't have this revelation in the rest of New Testament books. But its more than that …] 4  And while staying with them [He's not just popping up here and there. King Jesus is abiding with his apostles in his resurrected state for at least forty days. That by itself is an amazing work. He's there when they wake up, there when they go to bed, eating, going about their day. No wonder the apostles change from being a bunch of cowards at the end of the gospel of Matthew to bold in Christ by Pentecost.

Today, Jesus is not physically present with his church. But, he sent the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, to no less abide with us, than he did with the apostles. But are we more or less courageous to share, teach, and disciple with the gospel? You don't need him to manifest himself to you. It's enough that that he was abiding with them. But, does this embolden your witness for Christ? He died. They thought they lost. But, he was resurrected. And talking to them, discipling them, giving them more revelation. Your Christ, your Husband, has conquered the grave, for himself, and for you. Does that change AT ALL the confidence you ought to have in his kingdom and work?

The resurrected Jesus is abiding with them, talking with them, shepherding them, teaching them. Now, originally, he told the apostles to meet him in Galilee. But now they are back in Jerusalem. And …] he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, [Now, this would be dangerous. The Jewish leadership just killed their master, their king, their Messiah. They will be gunning for the apostles too. Doesn’t matter!

And this is true for you too. There will be times when people will hate the idea of you following Christ. But, will you obey in humility and thankfulness regardless? The call is to thankfully obey his commands motivated and empowered by that FACT of his redeeming you. It is not to be scared of those around you. Will you continue to be scared? You may have to sacrifice career, comforts, influence, success, to obey the good kingdom commands of Christ. Is he worth it to you? Not to gain him, or to gain more of him, or even to gain salvation. But, because all of Christ and his salvation has been given to you, and the temptation to fear, and disobey, muddies and soils the salvation he’s already given to you. Will you allow your comforts, the world, the schemes of the devil to muddy the gem of your salvation in Christ? Or, Beloved, will you pray even now that in that day, maybe even today, you will have the courage to live for Christ with boldness?

But, the apostles are to wait for something particular.] but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5  for John [the Baptist] baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

[Jesus is applying to the apostles and the 120 something John the Baptist said about the difference between John and Jesus. And you can find this in Matt 3:11-12  “I [John] baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. [he's talking about Jesus] He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  (12)  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

These texts should end any idea that John's baptism and Christian baptism are the exact same thing. They are not. And to further end all doubt, read Acts 19 where converts from following John are baptized into Christ. The Christian church must stop insisting that the mode and theology of John's baptism is the same as Christian baptism. It isn’t. (SHOCKER! I KNOW!) John was the greatest Old Testament prophet. He was the fore-runner of the Lord. His baptism was with water, as an Old Testament rite. Christian baptism is not that.

Jesus is the Great Prophet. He establishes the New Covenant by his death and resurrection. His baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. And his baptism comes with the indwelling Holy Spirit who, grants life to some, and judges the rest. THAT Holy Spirit, THAT corporate baptism - the outpouring of the Holy Spirit - the apostles now must remain in Jerusalem to wait for.

But for how long? At this moment … they do not know.

Find out more in our next post, from our current sermons series through Acts.

Introducing: the Doctrines of Grace (or, the Five Points of Calvinism)

The Five Points of Calvinism in History and Personally:

The Five Points of Calvinism are historically and personally controversial. Historically, they are a response to the Five Points of Arminianism. The Five Points of Arminianism are named after Jacob Arminius, a Dutch Pastor and Theologian in the mid-1500's to the early 1600's. Some people have accused me of being a direct descendant of good ole Arminius (pictured below). But I promise, though we look alike, I am not.

Jacob Arminius

Those who identified with his system of theology are called "Arminians." (No, this is not the same label as the people from the country Armenia.) This is quite important today. While American evangelicalism was originally Calvinistic, today it is not, but Arminian. In fact, most American evangelical churches today teach the Arminian system of doctrine. For instance, if you believe the natural person, though a sinner, can still reach out to God in faith, unassisted by God, then, whether you knew it or not, you are Arminian in your thinking.

The Arminians and the Reformed were both Dutch. In fact, at the time, they were both apart of the Dutch Reformed Church. The Arminians were publicly antagonistic to the Reformed Theology being taught in Geneva and in the Netherlands. So they published the Five Points of Remonstrance, or "ardent protest". The Reformed Church responded publicly. They held a gathering of their church court at Dordrecht to answer these five doctrines point for point. And [drum roll please] the Five Points of Calvinism were born. The name of that Synod was the Synod of Dort. So, the Five Points of Calvinism, or the Doctrines of Grace, were a reaction to false teaching.

However, some have objected to the name "Calvinism." And I don’t mind the objection. It's not unlike the difference between "Calvinism" and "Reformed Theology." When your average Southerner hears the category "Calvinism" many respond as though you just said a cuss word. But, when you say "Reformed Theology" they are shockingly open. Maybe because "Reformed" and even "the Protestant Reformation" hasn't been taught in our churches in a long time. Maybe because the "Calvinism" well has been poisoned by opposing pastors for a long time. Or maybe, it is genuinely the name. And, the name does matter. It's unfortunate that the Five Points were named after John Calvin, a French pastor and theologian in the early to mid-1500's.

John Calvin

I highly doubt Calvin would have appreciated the name. But, it isn't named after him per se, but the system of theological thought attributed to him. If anything, Calvinism strives, using the doctrine of Sola Scriptura and the method of expository teaching, to be clearly biblical. Sola Scriptura is a mantra of the Reformation calling for the church to find its ultimate authority for any doctrine or practice in "The Scriptures Alone," hence Sola (Alone) Scriptura (the Bible). Further, expository teaching naturally flowed out of Sola Scriptura. If the Bible is our ultimate authority for any doctrine or practice, then the church should stick close to the text going verse by verse, chapter by chapter, through the Bible. This doctrine Calvin unapologetically taught. And this method of teaching is throughout his commentaries and his books. However, Jacob Arminius was three years old when Calvin died. So, Calvin wasn't even alive for the controversy, let alone the pithy response of the Five Points. The Synod of Dort was held from 1618-1619. But Calvin died in 1564, more than fifty years before. But still, he wouldn't have liked the Five Points named after him. And I personally don't mind the Reformed Church apologizing for the reference. We should not be naming movements or doctrines after sinful men. Yet, these five points of biblical doctrine are and will still be referenced as "the Five Point of Calvinism," or "the Doctrines of Grace."

Personally, these doctrines are both so biblical and so contrary to our flesh that many Christians reject the headings and the content. In fact, some just irrationally respond with vitriol to the headings. You’ll see more all the heading in future blogposts. Oddly enough when presented with the content from the Bible, but without the headings, many Christians will see just how eminently biblical the Five Points of Calvinism are. But, when you reinsert the headings … the fangs come out. However, I'm confident that the Holy Spirit working through the plain teaching of his Word, will actually show you the vast storehouses of comfort that come, not just by the doctrine, but when we see the connections of these doctrines to our living and reigning Savior, His Father in Heaven, and the Spirit who abides in us. In following posts, I will personally strive to show how each doctrine relates to your relationship with each person of the Trinity and the gospel.

In Christ, and with you all,

Rev. Joshua Sparkman

Christ Presbyterian Church (2131 Cody Road S.)

cpcmobile.com

Introducing the Reformation Mobile Blog

Welcome to Reformation Mobile, the blog. This blog is a public ministry of Christ Presbyterian Church to Mobile, Alabama. The address of Christ Presbyterian Church is 2131 Cody Road S Mobile, AL 36695.

We are a PCA church. PCA stands for "Presbyterian Church in America." The PCA is the largest and most theologically conservative Reformed and Presbyterian denomination in the U.S. today. You may recognize names like Kevin DeYoung, R.C. Sproul, D. James Kennedy, James Montgomery Boice, Francis Shaeffer, Ligon Duncan, and Tim Keller. All those men have all been, or are, prominent voices of our denomination.

R.C. Sproul

Christ Presbyterian and the PCA hold to the Westminster Confession of Faith and its Catechisms. The confession does not sit over Scripture, but guards the church like a guard rail on the road from the many false teachings we see today.

We are therefore a self-consciously Reformed and Presbyterian ministry. What does that mean? It means we will be characterized by particular biblical categories. First, we are committed to Expository Teaching and Preaching (2 Timothy 4:2 ). That means we will open up God's holy (Psalm 19:7-9), inerrant (John 17:17) Word, and make sure the lessons and sermons we present are indeed the main point of the text (Psalm 119:105).

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Second, in our teaching and preaching, as we go through the text of Scripture, we are also dedicated to presenting Christ's life, death, and resurrection as the fulfillment of any text (Luke 24:27),

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."

and how its applicable to you (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  (17)  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

This is an aspect of teaching and preaching many ministries entirely skip. And it oftentimes ends up in a legalistic message. Legalism is either that the message is basically works righteousness ("try harder", "do better"), or where the grace is so removed from God's command that it appears to teaching salvation, or the Christian life, is based on our works. Jesus warns repeatedly about legalism. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about your works for him, but about the good news of Jesus' works of righteousness for you before God. Third, we believe in what is called the Regulative Principle of Worship. That means we may worship the Triune God only in the ways he has determined for gathered worship, in his Word (1 Chronicles 13:5-15 & Numbers 3:1-4). Our Triune God has not left us to our sinful imaginations as to how to worship him. That means you will not find smoke machines, nor obstacle courses, nor Santa, in worship here. But you will find a call to worship (Psalm 149:1-2), confession of sin (Leviticus 5:5 and Romans 10:10), singing of tradition and new hymns and biblical songs (Colossians 3:16), sound preaching and instruction in the gospel, theology, and life, and the sacraments of baptism (Matthew 28:18-20) and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:42). It should be unmistakably clear that we worship King Jesus, not a political party, a football team, or aspects of our culture. Fourth, we are elder-led. The pastor does not run "the show." In fact, there is no show. No gimmicks. The pastor and elders work together, submitting to God's Word and the agenda of Christ laid down in the Scriptures (as seen in Acts 15). We believe elders may be only biblically qualified, and grace-qualified, men. We will therefore not have tons and tons of staff and pastors. But regular, local men, who have been set part by God with graces and gifts, and trained, to disciple the Lord's sheep. This means we hold to the Doctrines of Grace. We believe that in and of ourselves (without God) we are sinners, deserving of his wrath, and thoroughly rebellious (Genesis 6:5), dead in our trespasses and sins, and cannot save ourselves by any works, let alone by our good works (Philippians 3:1-14). We believe Christ's redemptive work of living for our righteousness and dying for our sins is the alone grounds of our salvation (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). He also died only for his own people (John 10:27-28). We believe God's choosing of the sinner is what led the sinner to choosing God (Ephesians 1:4 & 1 John 4:19). And we believe that all those whom the Lord has saved will indeed be those saved when He returns in glory (Philippians 1:6). Lastly, you will be taught historic Protestant and Reformed doctrine clearly from the Word. We will not appeal to gurus, and popes. But we will strive to bring forth the clear teaching of the text of Scripture as we think it necessarily leads to Protestant and Reformation theology.

We are starting this blog so that we can make available good content for Mobile, Alabama. We want to help anyone navigate the intersection of the faith in the Bible, Theology, Culture, and Life in Mobile, Alabama. We will address things singles, parents, and grandparents need to hear. And we will strive to do it from a gracious, biblical worldview, that honors God in his holiness and in his mercy. We hope you are edified by this content. Come join us in worship every Sunday @ 10:15 (2131 Cody Road S. Mobile, AL 36695).

 

In Christ, and with you all,

to the Glory of God alone!

Pastor Josh Sparkman