"Growing in Godliness" Sermon

Here is a sermon I preached recently at Bethel Grace Baptist Church.

The four points covered are...

-What Godliness is not
-What Godliness is
-How Godliness is increased
-Godliness and past sins


God Bless,

Doug

Rooted in Truth: Class Calendar

Here is the calendar for the Rooted in Truth Class.




Prolegomena
-Sept. 11 – What is Systematic Theology and Why is it Important

Bibliology
-Sept. 18 – Revelation and Inspiration
-Sept. 25 – Clarity, Necessity, and Sufficiency

Theology Proper
-Oct. 2 - The Existence of God and the Attributes of God
-Oct. 9 –The Trinity

Anthropology and Harmatiology
-Oct. 16 – The Imago Dei and the Effects of Sin

Angelology
-Oct. 23 – Angels, Demons, Satan, and the Problem of Evil

Christology
-Oct. 30 – The Incarnation and the Offices of Christ

Soteriology
-Nov. 6 – The Atonement, Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification
-Nov. 13 – Monergism and Synergism
-Nov. 20 – The Divine Plan: Dispensational and Covenantal Theology

Pneumatology
-Nov. 27 – The Nature and Work of the Holy Spirit

Ecclesiology
-Dec. 4 – The Church

Eschatology
-Dec. 11 – The Millennium and the Return of Christ
-Dec. 18 – The Final Judgment, and Heaven and Hell

God Bless,

Doug

Rooted In Truth: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine

I will be teaching a class at Bethel Grace Baptist Church during the Sunday school hour. The class will begin the second week of September and will run through December. The study will be an overview of systematic theology and the lectures should be available on the Bethel Grace website. Below is a video introduction to the class. I was out of town the morning the new class offerings were introduced to the Bible study group so I dusted off the cobwebs where I used to shoot videos (literally) and put this together to let them know what the class was going to cover.




God Bless,

Doug

1 Peter 5:1-5 Bible Study Questions

1. (V.1) Why do you think Peter takes time to address elders in the midst of suffering?

2. (V.1) What do you think Peter’s definition of “elder” would be as he uses it in this passage?

3. (V. 2) What are the implications for the elder in that they flock they shepherd is called the “flock of God?”

4. (V. 2) What does it mean to shepherd “willingly,” and why is this important?

5. (V. 3) How does being an example negate the temptation to be domineering?

6. (V. 4) How should knowing that the Chief Shepherd will appear help the elder do his job?

7. (V.5) How do we clothe ourselves with humility?

8. (V.5) What does it mean that “God opposes the proud?”

9. (V.5) Why do you think God gives grace to the Humble?

1 Peter 4:12-19 Bible Study Questions

Here are the questions for this week's lesson.

V. 12 – What does it mean that fiery trials come to “test you?”

V. 13 – How does sharing in Christ’s suffering relate to rejoicing and being glad “when his glory is revealed?”

V. 14 – What does it mean that the “Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” if you are insulted for the name of Christ?

V. 16 – Why would we be tempted to “be ashamed” if we suffer as a Christian?

V. 17 – What does Peter mean when he says “it is time for judgment” and when he talks about the “household of God?”

V. 18 – What does it mean that the “righteous” are “scarcely saved?”

V. 19 – Do you think there is any specific reason why Peter refers to God as a “faithful Creator” in this verse?

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Bible Study Questions for 1 Peter 4:1-11

1 Peter 4:1-11 Questions

V.1- What does it mean that "whoever has suffered in the flesh, has ceased from sin?"

V. 2- What "human passions" do you think Peter is referring to?

V. 3- What does Peter mean when he says, "The time that is past suffices" when he refers to living in sin?

V. 6- What does it mean when it says, "the gospel was preached even to those who are dead?"

V. 6- What does "judged in the flesh" mean?

V. 7- Why does Peter say we are to be sober-minded and self-controlled "for the sake of our prayers?"

V. 8- How does "love cover a multitude of sins?"

V. 10- What does "God's varied grace" refer to?

V. 11- What does it mean to speak "oracles of God?" 

1 Peter 3:13-22 Bible Study Questions

Here are a few questions to help prepare for lesson 6 of the Strength for the Struggle class. If you are not in the class, hopefully these questions will be useful for your own private study.


V. 13 How is it that no one can harm you if you are zealous for good works?

V. 14. What does it mean that we will be blessed if we suffer for righteousness?

V. 15. How do we prepare to make a defense to people who ask?

V. 16. How will those who revile your good behavior in Christ be put to shame?

V. 18. What does Peter's point that Jesus was "put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit" have to do with Christians facing suffering?

V. 19. Who do you think the "spirits in prison" are, and what do you think was "proclaimed" to them?

V. 20. What does Noah preparing the ark have to do with Christians facing suffering?

V. 21. What does baptism "correspond to?"

V. 21. What does Peter mean when he says, baptism "now saves you?"

V. 21. How is Baptism an "appeal to God for a good conscience?"

V. 21. How is all of this "through the resurrection of Jesus Christ?"

V. 22 Why does Peter close the passage by reminding us that Jesus has gone to heaven "with angels, authorities, and powers having been subject to him?"

1 Peter 3:1-12 Bible Study Questions

Here are a few questions to help prepare for lesson 5 of the Strength for the Struggle class. If you are not in the class, hopefully these questions will be useful for your own private study

1. In our culture, does the word “submit” have a negative or a positive connotation?

2. How should knowing that Jesus “submitted” to the Father, change our understanding of the word “submit?”

3. (V.1) What reason does Peter give for wives submitting to their husbands even if their husband do not obey the word?

4. (V. 2) What does “respectful and pure conduct” look like?

5. (V. 3) Some focus on external beauty seems to be okay, but what or where is the line that Peter does not want us to cross?

6. (V. 6) What were some of Sarah’s qualities that women would admire?

7. (V. 7) What does it look like for a Husband to show honor to his wife?

8. (V. 7) What does Peter mean when he refers to the woman as the “weaker vessel?”

9. (V.7) What does Peter mean when he talks about prayers being hindered?

10. (V. 8) What does a “tender heart” and a “humble mind” look like in practice?

11. (V. 10) What does it mean to “love life” and “see good days?”

12. (V. 12) Why should the fact that the “eyes of the Lord are on the righteous” comfort us?

13. (V.13) What does it mean if “the face of the Lord is against” someone?

1 & 2 Peter Bible Study Audio (MP3)

The audio for the lectures from the Strength for the Struggle class are being posted at the link below. We are slowly honing in on the recording quality. The first lesson did not get recorded, and the second lesson has a little distortion, but lessons three and four seem to be pretty clear. This link also has a lot of great sermons and lectures by pastor Jeff Saltzmann and other great teachers at Bethel Grace Baptist Church.

Bethel Grace Baptist Church Sermon Archives

God Bless,

Doug

1 Peter 2:13-25 Bible Study Questions

Here are a few questions to help prepare for lesson 4 of the Strength for the Struggle class. If you are not in the class, hopefully they will be useful for your own private study

1. (V. 14) What are governors (governments) supposed to do? (What does this teach us about the relationship of law and morality?)

2. (V. 15) How can “doing good” silence the ignorance of the foolish?

3. (V. 16) What does Peter mean when he says, “live as people who are free?”

4. (V.19) What does it mean to be “mindful of God?”

5. (V. 20) Why does Peter remind them that it is no profit to suffer for sin?”


6. (V. 21) To what have we been called? (How does this affect your understanding of the Christian life?)

7. (V.22-23) How did Jesus respond to unjust treatment?

8. (V.23) What does it mean that Jesus “entrusted himself to him who judges justly?”


9. (V. 24) What does it mean that Jesus “bore our sins in His body on the tree?”

10. (V.24) What illness do you think Peter has in mind when he says we have been “healed?”

11 (V.24) What does it mean to die to sin?

12. (V. 25) What does “straying like sheep” and having “returned to our shepherd” have to do with the point of this passage?

1 Peter 2:1-12 Bible Study Questions

Here are a few questions to help prepare for lesson 3 of the Strength for the Struggle class. If you are not in the class, hopefully they will be useful for your own private study

1. (V. 3) What does it mean to “taste that the Lord is good?”

2. (V. 5) Why are we called “living stones” and a “spiritual house?”

3. (V. 5) What are “spiritual sacrifices?”

4. (V. 7) What encouragement can believers find in Peter quoting “The stone that the builder rejected has become the chief cornerstone?”

5. (V. 8) What does it mean that they were “destined” to “stumble?”

6. (V. 9) Who is Peter calling a “chosen race” and why does Peter tell us this?

7. (V.9) What is the “darkness” out of which we were called?

8. (V9) Who are the “people for his own possession?” Jews, Gentiles, or the Church (Jews and Gentiles).

9. (V. 9) What is the “marvelous light?”

10. (V. 11) How do the passions of the flesh war against the soul?

11. (V. 12) When Peter speaks of the “Gentiles,” to whom is he referring?

1 Peter 1:13-25 Bible Study Questions

Here are a few questions for lesson two of the strength for the struggle Bible study through 1 & 2 Peter. These questions are designed to get us thinking through the text. We will be looking at this text in depth this coming Sunday and attempt answer these questions among others. The quotes in these questions are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

1. (V. 13) What does it mean to be sober-minded?
(What would it mean for our minds to not be sober?)


2. (V. 13) How do we prepare our minds for action?


3. (V. 14) What are the “passions of our former ignorance” that we are now to reject?


4. (V. 17) Why should the fact that our Father judges impartially, cause us to fear?


5. (V.17) What does “the time of your exile” refer to?


6. (V 18) What does it mean that they “were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers?


7. What point is V. 20 and 21 making?

8. (V. 22) What does it mean when it says, "having purified your souls by our obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love?"

9. (V. 23) What does it mean that we have been born again of imperishable seed?


10. (V. 25) In summary of chapter 1, what is the “good news that was preached to you?”

First Peter 1:1-12 Bible Study Questions (Strength for the Struggle Lesson 1)

For those of you who will be attending the class this weekend, or if you simply would like to do a Bible study on the first half of 1 Peter chapter 1, here are a few questions to help us begin thinking through the text. The translation used when putting these questions together was the ESV. One thing to keep in mind when going through these questions, is that some of these are not designed to be answered with quick easy answers. They are designed to open up further study and discussion.

To whom is this book written?

What does Peter mean when he says "the sprinkling with blood?"

What does it mean that God "caused us to be born again?"

Why does he call it a "living hope?"

What is being kept for us?

What does it mean when it says we are being guarded (kept)?

What does it mean that we are guarded (kept) through faith?

What is going to be revealed in the last time?

What is the significance of the word "grieved" when Peter mentions the trials we may need to face?

What does Peter mean when he speaks of the “testing of our faith” or the “trial of our faith”?

Why is faith more precious than gold?

What may these trial result in?

Why does Peter place emphasis on the fact that we have not seen Him?

What is the outcome of our faith?

In verses 3-9, which of the following does Peter mention; that we have been saved, are being saved, and/or will be saved?

What did the prophets do regarding this salvation?

What Spirit was in the prophets, and is this any different than the Holy Spirit?

What was the Spirit predicting?

What else was revealed to them?

How were the prophets serving the readers of Peter's letter?

What were the things proclaimed in which the angels long to look?

Romans 16: The God of Peace Will Soon Crush Satan under Your Feet

In Chapter 16 Paul closes out one of the greatest letters ever written. He spends some time on the final greetings then closes with some final instruction. Since the original readers of this letter would have most likely read the entire letter in one sitting, all that Paul had said would still be fresh in their minds as he made his closing statements. In this final study we will look at five phrases made in chapter 16 and relate them to other passages in Romans to recall some of the great things we have learned along the way.

V. 19 “Be wise as to what is good.

Chapter 6:1 & 15 – We are not to continue in sin.
Chapter 8:9 - The Spirit of God dwells in us.
Chapter 12:1 – We are to be living sacrifices.
Chapter 13:9-10 – Love is the summary of the law.
Chapter 14:1 – Care for the weaker brother.
Chapter 15:2-3 – Christ is our example.

V.19 Be “innocent as to what is evil.”

Chapter 1:18 – Do not suppress the truth.
Chapter 3:23 – All have sinned. That includes us.
Chapter 7:15 – Hate sin even you are guilty of it.

V. 20 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

Chapter 1:16 – The Gospel is the Power of God unto salvation.
Chapter 5:1 – We have peace with God.
Chapter 6:9 – Death no longer has dominion.
Chapter 7:24 – He will deliver us from this body of death.
Chapter 8:1 – No condemnation.
Chapter 8:33 – No accusation.
Chapter 8:37-39 - No separation

V. 25 “Now to Him who is able to strengthen you.”

Chapter 5:2-5 – We have hope because of the Holy Spirit’s work.
Chapter 8:28 – Even when Satan buffets it is for our good and God’s glory.
Chapter 8:30 – All He justifies he will glorify.

V. 27 “To the only wise God.

Chapter 3:26 – He can be both just and the justifier of sinners.
Chapter 8:28 – He is working all thing together for good.
Chapter 11:3-5 – There is still a remnant. Don’t trust your own perception over truth.
Chapter 11:33 – Depths of riches, unsearchable judgments, and inscrutable ways.
Chapter 1:16 – The Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation.

Questions for Romans 15 – The God of Hope!

1. (v.3) What does “the reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me” mean?

2. (v. 6) What will be the result if we live in harmony with one another?

3. (v. 7) Why should we welcome one another?

4. (v.8-9) Paul speaks of Jews and Gentiles; how does this affect your understanding of this passage?

5. (v. 13 and v. 4) Paul wants us to abound in hope. Where do we find the encouragement to hope?

6. (v.20-22) Why has Paul been hindered in coming to the Romans?

7. (v. 30) In what way does Paul want the original readers of his letter to strive for him?

What were Paul’s prayer requests?

8. What do these prayer requests say about the power of God over the will of men?

9. How does this chapter challenge you in regards to striving for unity with fellow Christians who may be troubled by you, even when you are in the right?

10. Does the fact that God is called “the God of hope” encourage you? If so, why?

11. When we look at the example of Paul’s life in this chapter, do you see anything that we should emulate?

Questions for Romans 14: Stumbling Blocks and Weaker Christians

The way some people apply Romans 14 would mean that Christian who have freedom in Christ should be constantly walking on eggshells, but is that what Paul was intending? A proper understanding of this chapter will help us to love our fellow Christians who are troubled by something in our life that they may think is a sin but is actually permitted by Scripture. It can also help us in avoiding actual sins ourselves.

1. (V. 4) – What does it mean to judge another?

2. (V.5) – What is Paul talking about when he talks about “esteeming days?”

3. (V.8) – What does it mean “to live and die unto the Lord?”

4. (V. 13) – What does it mean to “put a stumbling block in the way of a brother?”

5. (V.14) – What does Paul mean when he writes, “it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is unclean?”

6. (V.15) – What does it mean to “destroy the one for whom Christ died?”

7. (V.23) – What does it mean when it says, “whoever has doubts is condemned?”

8. What are some examples of things that someone might think is sinful but would actually fall under Christian liberty?

9. Is there any limit to how much we should do to make sure we don't offend a weaker brother?

10. What if your brother thinks reading your Bible in public is prideful? Do you stop reading you Bible around other people?

11. What are some ways you have seen this passage abused?

12. Could it be possible for someone who thinks eating meat offered to idols is a sin, and not a matter of Christian liberty, to simply tolerate it when you do it?

Questions for Romans 11: All Israel will be Saved

Today I led a Bible study through Romans chapter 11. Below are the questions we used as we went through the text. In this chapter Paul is speaking of several different groups; National Israel (ethnic Jews), the elect Jews, the elect Gentiles, ethinic Gentiles, all of the elect (both Jews and Gentiles), and all mankind (both Jews and Gentiles). In order to understand this chapter it is important to be constantly asking which group Paul has in mind. If you are up for it, read the chapter and answer these questions. It is a wonderful chapter worth diving into.

Romans 11: 1-6
-What people is Paul referring to when he asks, “Has God’s people been rejected?”
-What is Paul’s answer to this question?
-What group of people is Paul referring to when he speaks of his people whom he "foreknew?"
-What group of people is referred to as the "remnant?"
-Paul says it is “no longer of works.” Has it ever been of works?

Romans 11: 7-16
-What did Israel fail to obtain (see Roman 9:30-32)?
-What did the elect obtain?
-What happened to the rest, and who did it to them?
-What was His purpose in doing that to them?
-What does Israel’s rejection mean for the Gentiles?
-What would Israel’s acceptance mean?

Romans 11: 17-24
-What have the Gentiles been grafted into?
-Why should the Gentiles not boast against the Jews?
-What will happen to the Gentiles if they do not stand fast in the faith?
-What will happen to ethnic Israel if they believe?

Romans 11: 25-27
-What is the mystery that Paul wants us to understand?
-In verse 25, when Paul says “all Israel will be saved,” which group was he referring to.
a. All ethnic Jews who will have ever lived.
b. All the elect (both Jews and Gentiles).
c. A group of ethnic Jews alive in some future generation.

Romans 11: 28-36
-What group of people are the enemies of God for the Gentile’s sake?
-Because of election, what group of people is beloved for the sake of their forefathers?
-What does the fact that God’s calling and gifts are irrevocable have to do with national Israel?
-Who has God consigned to disobedience?
-On whom will God have mercy?
-What is Paul’s point in ending the chapter like he does?

Continue in the Scriptures

It is important that we continually be reading Scripture because we continually have new questions that need to be illuminated by its light.

Doug

More Conservative than Scripture (Video)

Being more conservative than Scripture is no more praiseworthy than being more liberal than Scripture.

Doug

Only Those Completely Leperous Can Be Declared Clean

"If men knew themselves, God would heal and pardon them." - Blaise Pascal

God Bless,

Doug