“ Summary, Part 1 ” Each of the names we’ve studied so far (beloved, disciple, and pilgrim) builds upon a sketch of a biblical Christian. Now we consider the name ‘saint’. I. THE BASIC DEFINITION OF A SAINT [starting at 4:07 of the audio]. The saint is called by God to be holy. Literally, ‘saint’ means ‘holy one’. In the Old Testament, it denoted the sons of Aaron, but in the New Testament, it denotes all believers. 1 Pet 1:14-16, 2:9 – Believers are called to abandon their old ways and to adopt the ways of holiness (cf. Heb 12:10, 2 Cor 1:12). The Greek word for ‘holy’ carries many meanings which round out the biblical idea, and is used in many different forms and tenses. They all cover two essential characteristics: separation and consecration. Collectively, these characteristics describe sanctification, which has two sides: definitive or sudden sanctification (1 Cor 1:2, 6:11), and progressive or gradual sanctification (2 Cor 7:1, Heb 12:14).
“ Summary, Part 2 (final) ” e. OPENLY AFFIRM BEFORE ALL MEN THAT YOU ARE A PILGRIM BOUND FOR GLORY [23:40]. Got is not ashamed of us, so why would we be ashamed of Him (cf. Mt 8:38)? Christ was sinless, but came to earth to identify with His people, even in baptism. Rom 1:16 – Paul’s pride in the gospel laid in its power to save souls. What is the cost of the world’s mockery when heaven is to gain? 1 Pet 2:11-12 – Our lives are testimonies no matter how we live them (cf. 1 Pet 3:14-15). Living openly for Christ is the only way to draw the lost to Him. 2. CONSIDER HOW DREADFUL THE CASE IS OF THOSE HEADED NOT TO HEAVEN, BUT TO HELL [39:56]. Everyone is a pilgrim headed for eternity. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. By looking to Him alone, our destination will be a happy one. Mt 7:13-14 – The time for Christian pilgrimage is now.
“ Summary, Part 1 ” We continue the concluding applications from last week with d. TRAVEL ON PILGRIMAGE WITH OTHER STRANGERS AND EXILES [starting at 7:00 of the audio]. God never intended for His people to travel alone. We are created in the image of the triune God, the members of who commune with each other. God is a social being, and thus so are we (Mt 20:28, Eph 5:25, Acts 20:28). Christ is not so much the savior of individuals as the redeemer of His Body. Baptism is an example of the communal nature of the faith, as is the Lord’s Table (1 Cor 10:16-17). 1 Cor 12:27 – The Bible assumes that its readers are church members. Church membership also has the function of safety (Ecc 4:9-12). Five dangers of isolated worship: the leaving of spiritual disciplines, inevitable backsliding, susceptibility to false doctrine, alienation from communal judgment, and hell (Pr 14:12, 21:16, 13:20, Ps 124:5-6).
“ Summary, Part 2 (final) ” EXHORTATIONS [23:43]. 1. Strive continually to get a sense of the vanity of this world. 2. Keep your pilgrim status in mind in all your decisions. 3. Keep the glories of heaven before you. b. STUDY AND FOLLOW THE MAP GOD HAS PROVIDED TO GUIDE CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS [30:33]. Abraham’s path hasn’t changed; we walk it, too. Jer 6:16, Is 35:8 – There is divine direction for the pilgrim and there always has been (cf. Ps 119:19, 54). c. REMEMBER THAT THIS WORLD IS NO FRIEND TO CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS [36:56]. Christians who forget this are bound for trouble. The world is alluring. Young Christians are especially prone to this (remember Dinah in Gen 34). Isaac Watts: “Is this vile world a friend to grace, To help me on to God?” But adults are not in the clear, either (2 Tim 4:10). Where our treasure is, our heart will be. So it had better be in heaven (cf. 1 Pet 2:11-12). Even legitimate pursuits can dull our faith. We must not put them before our first love (cf. Heb 12:1-2).
“ Summary, Part 1 ” We continue with some concluding applications. 1. FOR CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS WHO WISH TO CHEERFULY TRAVEL THE PILGRIM PATH TO GLORY: a. WALK BY FIATH, KEEPING MIN MIND THAT YOU ARE A STRANGER AND AN EXILE [starting at 7:24 of the audio]. We cannot walk by faith any other way (cf. Heb 12:1-2). Christ’s journey is finished, but ours has just begun. What do we live for? What fulfills us? Do we store our treasures in heaven? Abraham did not segregate his life into sacred and secular; all of life was sacred to him. For the Christian, that is a false dichotomy. We view our lives and the world from eternity: we look back from heaven, not forward from birth. The things of the world do not satisfy the Christian; we are not to make idols of them. They will only disappoint us, and we will only disappoint others. This includes all of our worldly pursuits and even our past spiritual attainments. Our walk is for our whole lives and doesn’t end until death, even if we have a visible testimony of progress (cf. Phil 3:13-14). This perspective matters a great deal to our worship. Abraham built altars everywhere he went.
“ Summary, Part 3 (final) ” 3. A DISCIPLE GLORIFIES GOD BY DEMONSTRATING HIS INTIMATE UNION WITH CHRIST [39:29]. Jn 15:8 – fruit-bearing is a manifestation of this union. But this comes with two warnings: they can lead to a false sense of salvation, and they can discourage Christians unable to manifest them. What we are takes precedent. 4. A DISCIPLE OBSERVES THE SACRAMENTS ESTABLISHED BY CHRIST [42:49]. Acts 19:1-5 – These disciples had never seen Christ, but participate in the sacraments to affirm their union with Him (cf. Mt 26:26-29). 5. A DISCIPLE MAKES OTHER DISCIPLES OF CHRIST [47:22]. Mt 28:19-20, Acts 1:8 – even persecution can be a providential agent to send Christians elsewhere to make new disciples. III. WHAT PROMISES BELONG TO CHRIST’S DISCIPLES? [50:01]. Mt 10:40-42, Acts 14:22 – Both of these passages concern persecution. A. CHRIST’S DISCIPLES ARE PROMISED PEACE AND OVERCOMING GRACE AMIDST TRIBULATIONS SUFFERED IN THIS LIFE FOR THEIR IDENTIFICATION WITH JESUS [54:22]. Christ’s peace and courage become our own, we receive the blessings of other disciples when we receive them, and we triumph as a body. B. CHRIST’S DISCIPLES ARE PROMISED THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE LIFE TO COME [56:18]. Tribulation is part of the path to glory. We will also receive His shame if we are ashamed of Him.
“ Summary, Part 2 ” B. A DISCIPLE RESTS UPON AND REJOICES IN THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST [18:19]. During Jesus’ ministry, it slowly dawned upon the disciples who He was, but especially after His resurrection (cf. Jn 20:29). C. A DISCIPLE IMITATES THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST [21:17]. He imbibes His spirit. 1. A DISCIPLE GLADLY PAYS THE PRICE OF FOLLOWING CHRIST. We don’t become saved by following Christ; we become saved and then follow Christ. a. A disciple does not shun, but highly values the reproach of Christ (Mt 10:25, Jn 15:20, Heb 11:24-26). Our riches in Christ are far greater than our riches on earth. b. He embraces the ostracism that results from chief commitment to Christ. Mt. 10:24-39 – Jesus went through this Himself during His ministry. Lk 14:26-27 – the stakes of the faith are truly this high. c. He places all his possessions at the disposal of Christ. They are not subject to our leaders, but to Christ Himself (Mk 8:34-38, Lk 14:33). This includes our dreams, aspirations, finances, and souls. 2. A DISCIPLE LOVES OTHER DISCIPLES OF CHRIST [38:21]. Jn 13:35, 1 Cor 13 – This should characterize Christ’s disciples.
“ Summary, Part 1 ” Today, we ask I. WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE? [starting at 3:22 of the audio]. In the Bible, ‘disciple’ always means a pupil of someone. We will use a fuller definition, developed by F.W. Farrar, which describes a disciple as “one who believes Christ’s doctrines, rests upon His sacrifice, imbibes His spirit, and imitates His example.” II. WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF A DISCIPLE? [7:10]. A. A DISCIPLE BELIEVES THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST. A Christian is a student in the school of Christ. His glory manifests our faith (cf. Jn 2:1, 20:19-20). 1. A DISCIPLE DESIRES TO LEARN ALL HE CAN FROM CHRIST [10:40]. Mt 10:25 and Lk 6:40 illustrate a few important facts: a. We learn a lesson of proper order. Jesus is the teacher and we are the students. b. We learn a lesson of earnest desire. c. We learn a lesson of resolute imitation. He desires not just to know the truth, but to live it. 2. A DISCIPLE SUBMITS HIMSELF TO THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST [13:01]. Mt 10:24 – Jesus is not just a teacher, but our Lord (cf. Mt 13:17). Jn 8:31 – We must abide in His word, which means living it (cf. Mt 12:49). Jn 12:46-48 – A true believer is a learner.
“ Summary, Part 3 (final) ” E. A CHRISTIAN PILGRIM OPENLY AFFIRMS HIS ALIEN STATUS BEFORE MEN (vv. 13-14) [45:14]. He isn’t a secret exile. The road to apostasy is paved with compromises. F. A CHRISTIAN PILGRIM REFUSES TO RETURN TO THE WORLD (vv. 15-16) [48:50]. He refuses to return to his former home. He perseveres on the path to glory. Like Christian in The Pilgrim’s Progress, we must keep our fingers in our ears and cry for life. III. THE BLESSED REWARDS BELONGING TO CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS (v. 16) [53:42]. A. THEIR PRESENT REWARD: GOD’S PRIDE IN THEM. God is not ashamed of His people. B. THEIR FUTURE REWARD: GOD’S PROVISION FOR THEM. Their eyes are set on His promises.
“ Summary (Part 2) ” 2. HIS DIFERENT OUTLOOK UPON THIS WORLD. He is no longer known or understood by the world. 1 Cor 2:14-15 – The natural man cannot accept the spiritual things of God, but the spiritual man is no longer a natural man. 3. HIS DIFFERENT DRESS. Holiness adorns him. He dresses from the outside to the inside. 4. HE SPEAKS A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE. His new heart has given him a new tongue, and he abandons the old one, even to his disadvantage. 5. HE IS MOTIVATED BY A DIFFERENT GOAL. His pride and prestige come from God, not the world. C. A CHRISTIAN PILGRIM HOLDS LOOSELY TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD (v. 9) [36:10]. His life is predominantly God-centered, not world-centered or self-centered. 1 Cor 7:29-32 – The world offers little but distractions. It is a means for him, but not an end. 2 Tim 2:4 – Soldiers in active service do not entangle themselves in the affairs of the world. D. A CHRISTIAN PILGRIM TRAVELS THROUGH THIS WORLD IN FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER PILGRIMS (v. 9) [42:23]. We are heirs to the same promise.
“ Summary (Part 1) ” We can examine the title ‘pilgrim’ in Heb 11:8-10, 13-16. I. THE BASIC DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIAN PILGRIM [starting at 4:03 of the audio]. As we are pilgrims, this world is not our home. We are strange because our numbers are small, our outlook is different, and our strength comes from elsewhere. The earthly parallels (‘exile’, ‘stranger’, ‘foreigner’, ‘alien’) carry the ideas of our pilgrimage. Jn 1:10-11, Mt 25:43-45 – Jesus was a pilgrim here, too. II. THE BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF A CHRISTIAN PILGRIM [13:35]. A. A CHRISTIAN PILGRIM LIVES BY FAITH (vv. 8-9). Effectual grace is essential to the life of a pilgrim: it gets him going and keeps him going. We don’t know to what or were, but our Father takes us by the hand, and we will let go of anyone and anything that hinders our faith. 2 Cor 4”17-18 – If “our eyes are on the prize”, that prize is the promise in which we have faith. B. A CHRISTIAN PILGRIM CONSCIOUSLY SOJOURNS AS AN ALIEN IN THIS WORLD (v. 9) [21:20]. This fallen world is not our home. Abraham wasn’t looking for a chunk of land in the Near East, but for a city he knew God would build. A FEW REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS ARE ALIENS [24:35]: 1. THE ORIGIN OF HIS BIRTH. He is born in sin, but born again in grace. He was a stranger to God before he became a stranger to the world.
“ Summary, Part 3 (final) ” 5. Because He delivers us from all our trials and from all our enemies (Ps 91:14). 6. Because He both preserves us and will destroy all our enemies (PS 145:20). 7. Because He works all things together for our good (Rom 8:28). 8. Because He will not allow anything to separate us from His love (Rom 8:38-39). C. BEHOLD SOME PRACTICAL EFFECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN’S LOVE FOR GOD [45:13]. 1. It produces gladness, joy, and exultation (Ps 5:11). 2. It produces cheerful obedience to His commandments (1 Jn 5:3; cf. Mt 11:29-30, 1 Jn 2:5). 3. It produces hatred of sin (Ps 97:10). 4. It produces love for God’s people (1 Jn 5:1). III. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRISTIANS HAVE CERTAIN DUTIES AS GOD’S BELOVED [49:49]. First, we have the duty of keeping ourselves in the love of God (Jude 20-21). Second, we have the duty of exhorting our brethren to love God (Ps 31:23). We must also remember to manifest that love as well. Third, we have the duty to pray that our brethren will grow in the love of God (2 Thes 3:5). We can’t be steadfast in our love for Christ without loving God. Finally, the Bible presents God’s people with many exhortations that flow out of and give expression to their privileged and exalted status as His beloved.
“ Summary, Part 2 ” C. GOD’S LOVE FOR CHRISTIANS IS ETERNAL; IT HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO END. At what point in our sinful lives could He have started loving us (Jer 31:3)? D. GOD’S LOVE FOR CHRISTIANS IS REDEEMING; IT SECURES THEIR SALVATION. 1. God’s redeeming love is sacrificial; it is saving love (cf. Rom 5:8; 1 Jn 4:9-10). 2. God’s redeeming love is familial; it is family love (cf. Eph 1:4-6; Pr 3:12). 3. God’s redeeming love is effectual; it is triumphant love (cf. Jer 31:3; Jn 6:44; 2 Thes 2:13). II. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRISTIANS AS GOD’S BELOVED LOVE GOD IN RETURN [29:17]. A. BEHOLD THE NATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN’S LOVE FOR GOD. Christian love is reflective; the true Christian loves God back (1 Jn 4:19; cf. Gal 5:22, Deut 6:5). 1. This obedience is no hardship for Christians. What about God isn’t loveable? 2. This obedience is presently imperfect. 3. This obedience is at once our highest joy and deepest grief. B. BEHOLD SOME REASONS CHRISTIANS SHOULD LOVE GOD [35:27]. 1. Because He hears our prayers (Ps 116:1). This love isn’t mercenary, but grateful. 2. Because He has forgiven us all our sins (Lk 7:47). 3. For His unfailing covenant mercies (Deut 7:9). 4. Because He intimately knows us and embraces us as His own (1 Cor 8:3).
“ Summary, Part 1 ” We look at the term “beloved”; not specifically a name, but something God frequently calls His children. This causes us to consider what He means by love. The Bible teaches that God has a benevolent love for all men: among its means are the common graces for our daily needs and frequent promptings to repentance. But He has a special love for His elect: the love of favor or complacence. I. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRISTIANS ARE BELOVED BY GOD [starting at 6:07 of the audio]. This presumes a covenant relationship, whether with old covenant Israel or the new covenant Church. Jer 11:15, 12:7; Rom 9:6 – Unregenerate Israelites were numbered among God’s beloved. In the New Testament, it only refers to the saved; the only exception is elect Jews who have yet to come to the faith. Jesus is preeminently God’s beloved (Jn 3:35, 5:20, 15:9; cf. Jn 17:9). We are beloved for His sake (Cf. Eph 1:6). A. GOD’S LOVE FOR CHRISTIANS IS PARTICULAR; IT IS DIRECTED TO A SPECIFIC PEOPLE (cf. Rom 9:13) [15:31]. B. GOD’S LOVE FOR CHRISTIANS IS AMAZING; IT IS UTTERLY UNEARNED AND UNDESERVED (cf. Deut 7:7; Rom 9:15-16, 11-12). God’s beloved have been typically small and a one-sided affair of God, not them. His reasons are known only to Him.
“ Summary, Part 3 (final) ” B. THE ESSENCE OF THE EXHORTATION: GRACIOUS, SAVORY SPEECH [39:17]. Salt is nutritious, flavorful, preserving, and therapeutic, and so should be our speech, which will stand out in an increasingly vulgar world. We certainly don’t need to imitate its speech in order to reach it (cf. Eph 4:29-30). C. THE KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED IN PERSONALIZING THE EXHORTATION [45:20]. If this is difficult, we always have Christ as a model. He spoke many different ways to many different people, but always with grace (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). III. CONCLUDING APPLICATIONS [48:26]. 1. View your life as an opportunity to witness to the power of saving grace. We must heed both our walk and our talk. What we are inside will be evident outside. 2. Look for opportunities to witness for Christ. We must have a gospel outlook on life. 3. Understand that opportunities to witness are as varied as life itself. We need wisdom to spot them. 4. Season your words with grace if you would gain a hearing. The golden rule applies here, and remember that you represent your Lord. 5. Personalize your witness. That gives it life and credibility over a script that has been heard and dismissed before. It is also easier to substantiate and defend.
“ Summary, Part 2 ” b. We walk wisely when we adapt ourselves to people’s differences and understanding. c. We walk wisely when we choose the best way to reach the lost. Some points about this wisdom: i. It doesn’t permit us to damage our conscience. ii. We must seek to do positive good to the lost. iii. We don’t make false promises about the faith. iv. We must give unbelievers credit where it is due. v. We must shun needless opposition (which means we must speak when appropriate). vi. We must not needlessly offend or annoy. People are not argued into the Kingdom of God. You can win an argument and lose a soul. C. THE URGENCY EXPRESSED IN THE EXHORTATION [30:47]. This speaks of opportunity because wisdom is opportunistic (cf. Eph 5:15-17). Christians merchant in opportunity. God wants us to use time as He wills, not as we will. Our opportunities for doing good are brief, and many have already passed away. Future opportunities are uncertain, and our eternal happiness will depend on it. II. AN EXHORTATION TO A WORTHY SPEECH (v. 6) [36:17]. A. TWO ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE EXHORTATION. 1. WISE CONDUCT INVOLVES WORTHY SPEECH. Paul’s behavior and speech were harmonious. 2. WORTHY SPEECH REQUIRES PREPARATION. Paul prayed before he wrote to the Colossians. Forethought is crucial as well.
“ Summary, Part 1 ” Christianity is a faith to be lived. It has spiritual and practical meaning (Col 4:1-6). I. AN EXHORTATION TO A WISE WALK (v. 5) [starting at 4:06 of the audio]. A. TWO ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE EXHORTATION. 1. A PERSON’S CHRISTIANITY IS HIS LIFE. We are Christians first; whatever else we are is secondary. “Walk” is translated from the Greek word meaning a manner of one’s life: what is open and obvious to all (cf. Col 1:10, 2:5-7, 3:4-7). 2. A PERSON’S CHRISTIANITY WILL BE OBSERVABLE [8:50]. Does our conduct have a gospel influence on those around us? B. THE ESSENCE OF THE EXHORTATION: WISE CONDUCT TOWARD NON-CHRISTIANS [10:46]. Paul wrote this letter from prison; he was a living apostle of Christ. 1. THE DEFINITION OF WISE CONDUCT [14:01]. This is spiritual wisdom, which is foolishness to the carnal mind (cf. Col 1:9, 28; 3:16). We don’t only talk about Christ, but also must reflect Him in our lives. 2. THE DIRECTION OF THIS WISE CONDUCT [17:56]. We have a responsibility to live toward outsiders to show a testimony for our faith; it opens windows to gospel witness. “When a soldier is in enemy territory, he is much more on his guard.” Some points about our walk: a. We walk wisely wen our goal is to win the lost.
“ Summary, Part 3 (final) ” QUESTIONS [41:18]: 1. Do you view your church as your spiritual family? Do they have a special place in your heart? 2. If you love your brethren, do they know it? Do they know that you pray for them (cf. Heb 13:1). 3. THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS AS GOD’S CHILDREN TO NON-CHRISTIANS: LET THE HOPE THAT ANIMATES YOU MAKE YOU EAGER TO SHARE YOUR HOPE WITH THE HOPELESS [43:55]. Is this in the back of your mind? What is in our hearts will come out of our mouths (cf. 1 Pet 1:3). 1 Jn 3:1 – We will be an enigma to the world because God is an enigma to it, as is His resurrection hope. Pr 10:28, 11:7 – Our hope vs. the world’s. We cannot keep this truth to ourselves. Rom 10:14 does not apply only to pastors (cf. 2 Cor 5:10-11, 14). Rom 5:5 – God did not hide hope from us, and so we must not hide it from others. 1 Pet 3:14-16 – People will only ask about our hope within us if they see it. And we must answer in gentleness and reverence, with Christ exalted and set apart. CONCLUSION [58:33]. 1. A holy life will be misunderstood. 2. This is a result of ignorance. 3. We should be ready to share the reasons for our hope.
“ Summary, Part 2 ” iii. This spirit liberates our hearts and teaches us to pray (Rom 8:15). 2. THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS AS GOD’S CHILDREN TO THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS [27:35]. a. LET US HIGHLY ESTEEM OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS. i. Because they are royalty. They are sons and daughters of the living God (Jn 1:12-13). ii. Because God chose them to be rich in faith and heirs to His promised kingdom. Jas 2:5 - He was addressing favoritism in the church. Salvation is a great leveler on earth. iii. Because they are children of the same heavenly Father. b. LET US SEEK WAYS TO ASSIST ALL MEN, BUT ESPECIALLY OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS (Gal 6:9-10) [33:18]. As we are naturally inclined to help “our own” on earth, so we should be spiritually inclined to help our brethren. c. LET US FERVENTLY LOVE OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS [35:10]. God has loved us, and so we must love the brethren; they are now our brothers and sisters (cf. 1 Jn 5:1). 1 Jn 4:20-21 – If we do not love the brethren, we are not Christians at all. 1 Jn 3:16-18 – As Christ laid down His life for us, we must do the same for the brethren. 1 Pet 1:22-23 – Peter connects this love with regeneration. Jas 4:11-5:9 – This love stifles unheavenly speech about our brethren.
“ Summary, Part 1 ” We conclude III. WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES DO WE HAVE AS GOD’S ADOPTED CHILDREN? with some concluding exhortations. 1. THE DUTY OF GOD’S ADOPTED CHILDREN TO THEIR HEAVENLY FATHER [starting at 3:21 of the audio]. a. TO BE A PEOPLE OF PERPETUAL WONDER AND GRATITUDE FOR HIS LOVE AND SAVING MERCY. This is our first duty to God (1 Jn 3:1, 4:10). How could He love such wretches as ourselves? It should fill us with wonder and praise, and may we never wear it out. b. BY LIVING CHEERFULLY OBEDIENT LIVES [9:25]. It should be visible, like Christ’s love for His Father. This obedience is neither legalistic nor a burden (Mt 11:30). We are no longer children of the defiant one, but children of the obedient one. 2 Jn 4 – We must rejoice in seeing the brethren showing this obedience. c. BE A PEOPLE OF CHILDLIKE, SUBMISSIVE, BELIEVING PRAYER [15:09]. Christ often called God His Father, because He is. And God is our Father as well. Mk 14:36 shows at least three things: i. That Jesus addressed God as “Abba, which indicates a warm, childlike affection for God. ii. That He communicated childlike submission and trust to God’s will. He made a request, not a demand. God’s will was final for Him. Gal 4:6 – God has given us this same spirit.
2/15/16 2:50 AM
