Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sovereign Grace Bible Church

Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 2

Ephesians 5:25

INTRODUCTION

The primary point of this context or section is not about marriage, or about the roles of wives or husbands. Rather, it is about the redemptive relationship between Christ and his church.

This section begins with two aspects of the role for all Christian husbands, namely the mandate to love and the manner in which to love. First, the mandate to love is “Husbands, love your wives,” which is not a suggestion but a command. This is a nonnegotiable command for all Christian husbands to obey.

Next, notice the manner in which the husband is to love his wife: just as (which is the key word regarding the manner) Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her. What this means is the mandate to love our wives is directly connected to Christ’s love for his church. That is why, in order to love our wives more and better, we must understand how or the manner in which Christ loved the church. To say it negatively, I cannot love my wife just as Christ loved the church, if I don’t know how Christ loved the church.

So, we are forced with a very important question, that is: How did Christ love the church? And what kind of love is this? Hence, it is my goal this morning to help you unpack those questions from our text, so that we can love our wives better and more, for the glory of God. With that in mind, let me first define what kind of love this is, and then describe such love demonstrated by Christ to the church.

I. Definition: What Kind of Love Is This?

In Greek language there are several words for love. For instance, there is eros, a pure physical and sensual type. There is also phileo, a friendly sentiment, or having a sense of fond affection for something or someone. Then there is agape, the highest form of love that is reserved only for God, Christ, and Christians in the NT.

In this section all the words for love in Greek are agape. Six times the verb “love” or agape is mentioned: twice in verse 25, three times in verse 28, and once in verse 33. Certainly, there is nothing wrong to have a physical/sensual love for your wife, or even to have a fond affection for your wife. However, God’s mandate for husbands is to love our wives with agape love, just as Christ loved (agape) the church.

I want to help further with your understanding of its definition, namely that this love does not refer to general or universal love. Rather, it is special love, a particular love.

Let me ask you a question, men: Do you love all wives the same? If so, then you’re in a big trouble! Of course not! You have a special love for the special individual; and it is particular, not universal.

In theology, this kind of love is what God’s special grace or sovereign grace means. While God allows the sun to shine on both believers and unbelievers, God demonstrates special love toward his own. This isn’t hard to understand. Just look at your own family. Do you not treat your own family different than you do to others? Do you not have special love for your own children than other children?

Let me summarize what kind of love is agape: God’s agape love is special and particular, not universal. It is based on his sovereign choice, not my choice.

• ^NAU 1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

• ^NAU Romans 9:15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” ¹⁶ So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

Hence, agape is unilateral (unconditional), cannot be earned, and it is redemptive.

II. Descriptions: How Did Christ Loved the Church?

I want to point out three very important observations from verse 25. One, why does it say “Christ loved the church,” which speaks of the past action? Second, why does it say, “…just as Christ also loved the church,” which implies that someone else loved the church besides Christ? If so, who? Third, how did Christ give himself up for her?

Those are three very important questions that would help us to better understand the manner in which Christ loved the church. All answers are found in Ephesians. Let me first begin with the second observation. With that in mind, please turn your Bible to Ephesians 1. Draw your attention to verses 3 to 6. Notice verse 4 says, “In love (lit. in agape) He predestined us…,” which means that agape love is the basis for God’s choice for our salvation, specifically predestination and adoption.

Next, draw your attention to 2:1-6. Notice from verse 4 that agape love is the basis for his mercy toward us, specifically, our spiritual regeneration (v. 5) and position with him (v. 6).

As you can see, although everyone deserves to be perished eternally, God chose to save some. That is why his agape love is special and particular, not universal. It is based on his sovereign choice. It is unilateral (unconditional) and redemptive. Therefore, answer to the question, who else loved the church besides Christ, it is God our Father!

Now, answer to the first question, why the verse states “Christ loved the church,” which speaks of the past action, it is none other than his sacrificial and substitutionary death. Just like our heavenly Father’s love for the church, Christ loved the church even before she came into existence and even after her existence! That means the Father and the Son loved the church even when she was sinful and unfaithful to God. That is why God’s agape is sovereign, unilateral and redemptive.

• ^NAU Romans 9:15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” ¹⁶ So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

• ^NAU 1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

I have answered so far why the verse points out the love of Christ in past action and what the word “also” implies. Now, let me answer our final observation. Grammatically, this last phrase is an illustration of Christ’s love, that is, Christ loved the church by giving himself up for her, namely his sacrificial and substitutionary death, which Paul already mentioned in 1:7; 2:13; and 5:2.

Just like in 5:2, the key word in 5:25 is the reflexive pronoun “himself.” This has a huge implication because it suggests that he was not forced to die at the hand of evil doers but that he laid down his own life for the church (cf. John 10:11, 14-15, 17-18).[1]

^NAU Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Perhaps, no other place in the Pauline Epistles this is clearly portrayed than Philippians 2, so with that in mind, please turn your Bible to there. Draw your attention to verses 5 to 8. As you can see Christ gave himself up for church voluntarily, sacrificially, salvifically, particularly, and unilaterally (unconditionally).

Now, husbands, this is the way in which we are mandated to love our wives!

[1] Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004), 750.

universalism.

Known historically as apokatastasis, the belief that all persons will be saved. Hence universalism involves the affirmation of universal salvation and the denial of eternal punishment. Universalists believe that ultimately all humans are somehow in union with Christ and that in the fullness of time they will gain release from the penalty of sin and be restored to God. Twentieth-century universalism often rejects the deity of Jesus and explores the “universal” bases of all religions.

Because we desire to have a distraction-free service, please turn off all pagers and cell-phones. Also, we do not pass offering plate during the service, but our offering basket is located near the front of the pews for your giving. Thank you.

Lord’s Day Worship Service

November 8, 2009 – 9:30 AM

Rev. Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

Announcements

Call to Worship

• Deuteronomy 13:1-5

Songs/Hymns of Praise

• My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
• You Are The Way

• Speak, O Lord

Scripture Reading

• Revelation 2

Sermon** ……………………………………………………. Rev. Jim Kang       

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 2

Ephesians 5:25

Song of Praise

• There Is A Fountain

Right-Hand Fellowship

Recite VOW

Benediction

• 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

**This sermon can be heard again or download at www.sovereigngracebiblechurch.org. You can also read its transcript at www.sgbc.wordpress.com.

**************************************************************************************

Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to constantly apply the divine truths you have heard (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:7-9; James 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions:

• How does God want my beliefs/actions to change?
• How can I accomplish this change?
• What is the first step toward bringing about this change?

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VOW (Verse of the Week)

^NAU Revelation 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you’re here for the first time, we want to give you a warm and friendly greeting, and we hope you’ll stay. Let us serve you with love in Christ’s name; and we hope you’ll come to serve with us. We ask that you fill-out the visitor’s card and dropped it into the offering basket.

However, if you come here regularly, week after week, have committed yourself to this ministry in membership and service, have put your hand to the plow with us, and support this local work of God with your prayers, your time, your labor, and your gifts, we want to give you a special greeting. We’ll never take you for granted!

Congratulations to Tanner Leuthold as he officially becomes a member of SGBC!

Monthly Women’s Fellowship this Saturday morning at Eunah’s at 9 am. Currently we are reading and discussing Spiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Calvin for the Church Today: John Calvin’s Biblical Legacy for the Church in the 21^st Century [sponsored by United Reformed Church of Sioux Falls] on Saturday, November 21, 9 to 4, at Sonrise Baptist Church on 3300 E. Oak Street, Sioux Falls. Cost is $15 (includes lunch).

Books of the Month (Sale): Spiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, $13 (reg. $18); Handbook of Church Discipline by Jay Adams, $12 (reg. $15).

Birthdays/Anniversary for November 2009:

• Leutholds anniversary (11/4)
• Todd’s birthday (11/17)

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Theological Word of the Week (#20)

universalism.

Due to limited space here, please visit our church’s blog for its definition.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sovereign Grace Bible Church

Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 1

Ephesians 5:25-33

INTRODUCTION

We are back to Ephesians, after taking a month excursion on the theme of Reformation in October. And several weeks prior to that on the theme of biblical roles of Christian wives. Now, it’s the husbands turn. As you can see from your initial observation, there are three verses for wives, while there are nine verses for husbands! In other words, here in Ephesians 5, there are three times more for husbands to take heed than wives, though this doesn’t mean that wives should turn off their hearing now that we’re on husbands. I mean how else you’re going to hold your husband accountable if you don’t know what he is called to do biblically?

What I want to do this morning is not to immediately jump right into verse 25. Rather, I want to give you an overview of this context, sort of like a bird’s eye view than a worm’s eye view. This is important and beneficial because I don’t want to miss the whole forest because I’m stuck simply looking only at a particular tree. Hence, before looking at the text in detail with all the nuances, I want to simply paint the whole picture for you this morning.

With that in mind, let me make a few overall preliminary observations. I will make four observations to be exact.

I. The primary point of this context or section is not about marriage, or about the roles of wives or husbands. Rather, it is about the redemptive relationship between Christ and his church.

This particular section of Ephesians is typically known as a “marriage text.” I have heard numerous sermons on this text, yet some have ignored a major theological theme here, namely the redemptive relationship between Christ and the church. In fact, Paul even states in verse 32 that “this mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” – as if just in case you and I miss the whole point of the passage.

Hence, if we would to simply look at this section as a mere “marriage text” or if I would to simply give a pep talk on marriage from this text, then we missed the whole point. That would be no different than what a secular marriage therapist would say, a Mormon would say, or what Joel Osteen would say. Thus, the fundamental question is: What is so Christian about that? What is so Christian about telling the husbands to love their wives? That’s no different than what you’ll find at the “self help” section of your local Barnes and Noble or from a “marriage guru.”

So, that is a million dollar question. I want you to know that such preaching that is devoid of any exegesis of the text and devoid of any Christological emphasis, yet full of moral advices is what we call “moralistic preaching,” and it is dangerous. I say moralistic preaching is dangerous because in this undiscerning culture when average church-goers do not think biblically, such preaching is often pass as “Christian preaching” when it is not. Just because someone stands in the front and quotes a few Bible verses does not qualify as Christian or biblical preaching.

A biblical preaching is when the bulk of the message is driven by an exposition of Scripture, out of which there is a significant doctrinal emphasis from the text, and from which there are implications and/or applications. So, when a message is largely a moral pep talk about how to improve your life, your marriage, so on, is not a true biblical preaching. On this subject, listen to what Martyn Lloyd-Jones said about fifty years ago:

I am increasingly convinced that so much in the state of the Christian church today is to be explained chiefly by the fact that for nearly a hundred years the church has been preaching morality and ethics, and not the Christian faith. It is this preaching of the ‘good life’, or being ‘a good little gentleman’, and of viewing religion as ‘morality touched by emotion’, as Matthew Arnold put it, that has been the curse. Such men have shed the doctrines; they dislike any idea of atonement, they dismiss the whole notion of the miraculous and the supernatural, and ridicule talk about re-birth. Christianity to them is that which teaches a man to live a good life.[1]

II. Although the primary point in this section or context is about the redemptive relationship between Christ and his church, there are clear implications for the role of Christian husbands. In other words, the husbands’ role is not the main point here, but it is an important. All that is to say, this section contains both doctrinal emphasis and practical applications.

III. Like the role of Christian wives, the role of Christian husbands depends on the redeemed relationship with Christ. That is, if the man is not spiritually regenerated, he cannot fulfill the duty of a Christian husband, namely to love his wife as Christ loved the church.

I say “namely, to love his wife as Christ loved the church,” because that is a clear distinction of the role of Christian husbands from non-Christian husbands. It is one thing to be the primary provider and protector for family, but to love the wife as Christ loved the church is something else. If the duty of a Christian husbands is simply to be the provider for the family and protector for the family, then that’s no different than what a Buddhist could do, what a good Muslim could do, or what an atheist husband could do. Again, what makes the role of Christian husbands unique? Again, what sets Christian husbands fundamentally different from non-Christian husbands is the call and command to love our wives as Christ loved the church. In fact, this particular call and command to love our wives is not given to just anyone but only to Christians, for whom this letter is written (1:1).

Since Christian husbands are to love our wives as Christ loved the church, don’t you think it is important that we need to know how Christ loved his church? Furthermore, we need to know what kind of love this is.

IV. Redeemed love is the particular call, command, and motive to love our wives.

When a person becomes a Christian, all faculties and aspects of his/her life will go through transformation, including his/her understanding of love. As a Christian, such love is now redeemed. He/she is no longer driven with selfish love, a pure physical love, or lustful love, but now it is love that is radically different than what he/she knew or experienced. It is redeemed love that God gives to his elect. Hence, before you can be motivated to love, you need to first know and learn what this type of love is.

Again, we’re back to Point 1, aren’t we? That is, we cannot understand the duties of Christian husbands and wives unless we understand the truth about Christ and his church.

When I’m doing premarital counseling, I always ask the couple to define love and describe love. You can guess why right? What’s interesting is that I find that the problem is not so much about its definition but descriptions. In fact, this is where even those that have been married for sometime would have conflicts. For instance, because I love my wife, I may get her a DVD on how to lose weight as a woman. That’s how I would describe my love for her. But my wife may interpret my description of love to something else or disagree with how I show my love. You follow what I’m saying?

Sometimes our descriptions of love may be unsound because we may have unsound definition of love. So, with that, let me at least begin with the definition of love in this section. But before we do that, let me inform you what the text does not say about love.

First, it is not the romantic love, though that is not unimportant. Second, it is not erotic or lustful type. Men, you don’t have to become like the dude Fabio on the front cover of romance novels to love your wife. Third, it is not phileo type – i.e., fond of something or having affections, as in I love my dog, I love sushi, I love surfing, etc.

Rather, the love that is mentioned in this section is agape love. Six times the verb “love” is mentioned in this context: twice in verse 25, three times in verse 28, and once in verse 33. And they are all in agape love.

Let us at least get our feet wet this morning with verse 25. We examined four overall preliminary observations. Now, let me begin with a few specifics. First, to whom is this section specifically addressed? It is to husbands. In fact, in Greek this address is vocative, which means in this letter the author is making a special attention or call to a particular group, namely to husbands.

Furthermore, based on the surrounding context, this reference is not to just any husbands, but Christian husbands. That is the operative word.

But we’re forced with a very important question, that is: What is a Christian? Again, I’m under no illusion that anyone who walks into a church understands what a Christian is, including churches that faithfully proclaim the gospel and stand strong doctrinally. So, we need to learn to articulate this answer biblically. Don’t worry; you don’t need a systematic theology book to help you. I’ll simply show you from Ephesians. With that in mind, please go with me to Ephesians 1.

According to Ephesians, a Christian is:

• a saint and faithful in Christ Jesus (1:1b),
• one who has been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (1:3),
• one that God chose before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless (i.e. justified) before him (1:4),
• one that God predestined to adopt him as a son (1:5),
• one that experienced God’s redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sin, according to God’s sovereign grace (1:7),
• one that God reveals the mystery of his will (1:9),
• one that has obtained an inheritance (1:11),
• one that believed the gospel of salvation after listening to the message of truth (1:13a),
• one that has been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (1:13b),
• one that has clear evidences of God’s grace from his/her former life (2:1-5),
• one that belongs to a church and actively serves the members within the church (2:19-22) – just to name a few.

Those are just a few descriptions of what a Christian is. Although these are various descriptions, there is one common theme, namely it is God who turns a person into a Christian. The Bible teaches that no matter how high the standard of morality a person lives by, cannot live up to God’s perfect and holy standard. Also, no matter how religious a person is, he/she cannot earn God’s salvation. The Christian doctrine of salvation is that God alone saves the person.

So, at the onset of Ephesians 5:25, we’re faced with a very important question: Am I a Christian? This is so important since the assumed notion is that husbands here are Christian husbands.

[1] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home & Work: An Exposition of Ephesians 5:18 to 6:9 (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1995), 19.

transcendence.

The attribute of God that refers to being wholly and distinctly separate from creation (although always actively involved in and with it as well). The declaration that God is transcendent means that God is “above” the world and comes to creation from “beyond.” During the medieval era God’s transcendence was especially emphasized, as is evident in architecture of the great gothic cathedrals with their high, arched ceilings that lift one’s gaze upward (PDTT, 115).

Once again congratulations to Tanner Leuthold for his baptism!

Because we desire to have a distraction-free service, please turn off all pagers and cell-phones. Also, we do not pass offering plate during the service, but our offering basket is located near the front of the pews for your giving. Thank you.

Lord’s Day Worship Service

November 1, 2009 – 9:30 AM

Rev. Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

Announcements

Call to Worship

• John 7:37

Songs/Hymns of Praise

• Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
• Grace Unmeasured
• God Moves

Scripture Reading

• Revelation 1

Sermon** ……………………………………………………. Rev. Jim Kang       

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 1

Ephesians 5:25-33

Song of Praise

• Be Thou My Vision

Recite VOW

Benediction

• 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

**This sermon can be heard again or download at www.sovereigngracebiblechurch.org. You can also read its transcript at www.sgbc.wordpress.com.

**************************************************************************************

Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to constantly apply the divine truths you have heard (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:7-9; James 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions:

• How does God want my beliefs/actions to change?
• How can I accomplish this change?
• What is the first step toward bringing about this change?

************************************************************************************************

VOW (Verse of the Week)

^NAU Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you’re here for the first time, we want to give you a warm and friendly greeting, and we hope you’ll stay. Let us serve you with love in Christ’s name; and we hope you’ll come to serve with us. We ask that you fill-out the visitor’s card and dropped it into the offering basket.

However, if you come here regularly, week after week, have committed yourself to this ministry in membership and service, have put your hand to the plow with us, and support this local work of God with your prayers, your time, your labor, and your gifts, we want to give you a special greeting. We’ll never take you for granted!

Leadership Meeting on Monday, November 2 at 7 pm.

Monthly Men’s Fellowship this Saturday morning at Pastor Kang’s at 7 am. Currently we are reading and discussing The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur.

Calvin for the Church Today: John Calvin’s Biblical Legacy for the Church in the 21^st Century [sponsored by United Reformed Church of Sioux Falls] on Saturday, November 21, 9 to 4, at Sonrise Baptist Church on 3300 E. Oak Street, Sioux Falls. Cost is $15 (includes lunch).

Books of the Month (Sale): Spiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, $13 (reg. $18); Handbook of Church Discipline by Jay Adams, $12 (reg. $15).

Birthdays/Anniversary for November 2009:

• Leutholds anniversary (11/4)
• Todd’s birthday (11/17)

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Theological Word of the Week (#19)

transcendence.

Due to limited space here, please visit our church’s blog for its definition.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Sovereign Grace Bible Church

Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

THE FIVE SOLAS OF THE REFORMATION GOSPEL

Selected Scripture

INTRODUCTION

The Protestant Reformation was largely a divine response to unbiblical doctrines and unbiblical practices by unbiblical authorities. I say a divine response because this was an act of God. When we read or study history, we naturally focus our attention to the people that are involved, but forget that the people are mere instruments or means in which God fulfills his sovereign purpose. This is also true when we watch a play or a movie. We get the story from the characters in the play or movie, but forget that behind it all, the one who is really responsible is not the actors but one who wrote the script.

This is especially true when we consider the Protestant Reformation. Although there are valuable benefits in studying key people in history or actors in play, it is ultimately a great insult to God for failing to recognize that it is him who is behind it all. As much as I appreciate Luther, Calvin, and other Reformers, ultimately, it is to God I give allegiance and glory. As the psalmist said, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory” (Psalm 115:1a).

After the periods of Christ, the apostles, and church fathers, the church has been in darkness in most of her history, until God providentially orchestrated the Reformation. That is why the Protestant Reformers of the 16th Century used the Latin phrase Post Tenebras Lux – “after darkness, light.”

And what was the light that the Reformers and church historians refer to? In essence, the light refers to rediscovering of the biblical gospel, namely the doctrine of justification. However, because terms like justification, faith and grace are also used by the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), the Reformers wanted to make absolute distinctions from the RCC’s usage and definition of those terms, hence, the institution of the Five-Solas, namely Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Soli Deo Gloria.

This morning my goal is not to simply explain to you what each of those five-solas mean, but also to help you understand what each of them imply biblically, theologically, and practically. With that in mind, let me begin with the first sola.

I. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

It’s important to point out that the RCC does profess that they believe the Bible. In fact, they would even say that Scripture is authoritative, and that people must live by Scripture. Hence, if you’re going to critique a particular view that you disagree, at least, present your opponent’s view fairly and not make a straw man argument. So, the Catholics do affirm that the Bible is God’s word, that it is important, and that it is authoritative.

However, the Reformers would quickly reply with this statement: We’re glad that you believe that the Bible is God’s Word, that it is important, and that it is authoritative. However, is the Bible the final authority? Or, are the popes and church tradition equally authoritative to Scripture?

The fundamental issue that Sola Scriptura fights for is authority. That is to say, what is at stake is power and authority. Furthermore, whose authority?

Let me say what this does not mean. The notion of Sola Scriptura does not mean that human authority is not important, or that man cannot be authoritative. In fact, having erroneous view of Sola Scriptura is the root of so many problems, not only in the RCC but more so in the professing evangelical churches.

Let me describe for you what typically happens when you misunderstand Sola Scriptura. One, people would run around and say, “I don’t need church; I don’t need anyone telling me what to do; all I need is me and my Bible.” Hence, what this type of misunderstanding often produces is the spirit of autonomy. Yet, the very Bible they so profess clearly debunks such nonsense.

To this type of people, I often use Hebrews 13:17, which says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” So, I would directly ask, who is your pastor, and are you currently joyfully obeying and submitting to your pastor or elders leadership? If the answer is no, then I quickly tell him/her that they are in clear violation of Scripture, hence, they are in sin. And I would graciously tell him/her not to say they “love Jesus” when in fact they are living in sin.

Such autonomy leads to disregard for being committed and having accountability to other Christians in a local church, and having no authority to submit to in a local church, hence, eventually these independent and autonomous people give authority to themselves to become the authority. In other words, they promote themselves to be the authoritative figures when they have absolutely no credential to show.

How would you like to walk into a doctor’s office who gave himself the credential? Or, how would you like to have someone cut you open on the operating table who gave himself the credential? If we expect people from different vocational fields to have standards and credentials, how much more should we expect from ministers of the word? Some people, especially, the young guys who want to be in the ministry but do not want to go through a formal training that demands a hard work, often say things that I used to say when I was young and immature, namely that God used people without any formal training. I used to say, what about Spurgeon, Moody, Tozer, and Lloyd-Jones who never gone to seminary? When I hear young guys talk like that, I quickly remind them that they’re no Spurgeon, Moody, Tozer, or Lloyd-Jones!

Another byproduct of misunderstanding Sola Scriptura is privatization of Scripture. Since they care little about being committed to a local church or having to submit to the elders of a local church to be instructed, rebuked, corrected, and be equipped, they often resort to privatization of Scripture through a small group Bible study, where the matter of Bible interpretation is at the mercy of people’s opinions.

In addition, another related concern that I have is overly consumed promotion for “personal Bible study” that is so prevalent among evangelicals. Although I value the importance of reading and studying the Bible for yourself, you should do so not with the idea that you are self-sufficient. The Bible calls that pride.

We have so many mavericks in today’s churches that their sole authority lies at the result of their “personal Bible study,” where God “personally” shown them “the real” meaning and insights of a particular passage of Scripture. Or, their sole authority lies as a result of what they have read or what they have heard on radio or TV, but care little as to what their own pastor teaches. In fact, for many of these people, their pastor is not the pastor of their local churches but pastor-at-large via online, TV, or some evangelical personalities.

Although Luther, Calvin and other Reformers had some differences, they all taught to respect the authoritative teaching office of ministers. In fact, for John Calvin, not only he had a high view of preaching, but he also encouraged Christians to have a high regard for those who are called to preach. You can imagine if you would to sit under the ministry of Calvin for many years, not only you would develop a deep appreciation and affection for the word, but also to those who are called to preach the word. In fact, Calvin alluded the preachers to “the very mouth of God.” He said in his Institutes:

Those who think the authority of the Word is dragged down by the baseness of the men called to teach it disclose their own ungratefulness. For, among the many excellent gifts with which God has adored the human race, it is a singular privilege that he deigns to consecrate to himself the mouths and tongues of men in order that his voice may resound in them (4.1.5).[1]

I say all that to show you that Sola Scriptura does not mean that human authority is not important, or that man cannot be authoritative. That would be a clear contradiction to Ephesians 4:11-12, Hebrews 13:17, and a number of other passages.

Now, what Sola Scriptura does mean is that the inerrant Scripture is the only source of written revelation of God, which all things are measured. Moreover, the Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from the penalty of our sin and the Bible alone is the standard by which all faith and practices are measured. Hence, this has several implications. First, because the Bible alone is inerrant, sufficient, and is the final court of appeal, no church creed, church council or individual can override the Bible.

Second, since the canon of Scripture is closed, there are no more ongoing “new” prophetic revelations of God. Hence, when we speak of God, we always say, “It is written,” not “Well, God told me last night,” as if he speaks outside of what he has already written. In addition, the Holy Spirit does not speak independently or contrary to what is already set forth in the Bible. Moreover, no personal experiences can override the Bible; rather all personal experiences must be tested according to Scripture.

II. Solus Christus (Christ Alone)

I would like to remind you once again that the RCC does affirm the historical Jesus, namely born of the virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, and on the third day, he arose from the dead, and after several days he ascended into heaven. However, it is one thing to affirm the historical Jesus, but it is something else to understand what that implies theologically and practically.

Once again, the key word in Solus Christus is solus. Here, the issue is how much of the person and the works of Christ affect the justifying of sinners? Unlike the RCC’s teachings and practices, the Reformers taught that Christ’s sinless life and his substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to God.

Thus, what Solus Christus clearly implies is that nothing can take away and nothing can add to what Christ has already accomplished. Hence, when we speak of Christ alone, it is just that, Christ alone. It is not Christ plus the pope, Christ plus sacramental grace, Christ plus ongoing mass, Christ plus penance, Christ plus baptism, etc. That is what Luther and other Reformers called heresies in both doctrines and practices, because those things are not the true depictions of the true gospel; rather, it clearly contradicts the biblical gospel.

III. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)

I would like to remind you that the RCC does speak of grace. However, where the Reformers drastically differ is its definition and descriptions of the word grace. With that in mind, would you please turn your Bible to Romans 11:6? This is one of the key biblical arguments against the RCC’s view and practices.

However, to get the full force of Romans 11:6, we must understand the context, both immediate and remote context. The immediate context in which Romans 11:6 is found is about God’s election or God’s choice of his remnant (11:1-5), especially, end of verse 5 states, “[God’s] remnant according to God’s gracious choice.” That means God’s choice is not predicated on the recipients of his grace. That is to say, God’s remnant is not God’s remnant because they were so good or deserving to be God’s remnant. Rather, as the text reads “according to God’s gracious choice.” In theology, this refers to God’s sovereign choice or his sovereign grace. His choice is completely unilateral, not bilateral; and his choice is completely monergistic, not synergistic. All that is to say, his saving grace is an example of the sovereignty of God. In fact, if we would to move beyond the immediate context of Romans 11 to the remote context, more examples of God’s sovereignty scream for our attention. For instance, just look at the sheer powerful example in 9:10-16. A text like this utterly destroys Arminian soteriology.

Now, here is the force of Romans 11:6. Since salvation is by grace (meaning, receiving from God that which I do not deserve or cannot be earned by any merits of my own), it is no longer on the basis of works (e.g. penance, mass, sacramental rituals, etc). Otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Again, the key word in Sola Gratia is sola. To say grace alone, what we are really saying is that salvation is the work of God’s sovereign grace alone. No one or nothing can contribute or cooperate with God’s grace alone.

IV. Sola Fide (Faith Alone)

Faith can be defined and described as a noun, as in belief, doctrines, doctrinal statement, or articles of faith. It can be also defined and described as a verb, as in to believe. In regards to Christian salvation, both are required – belief and to believe.

However, most people think of faith as in having faith in faith. One of the popular postmodern statements is “Just believe, as long as you do so sincerely.” What that implies is that it doesn’t matter what you believe (whether something is true or false) as long as you do so sincerely. In other words, your sincerity outweighs the substance, which is a pure nonsense. The problem with such notion is that you can be sincere about something all you want, but not realizing that you can be sincerely wrong!

Sola Fide emphasizes on both correct belief and correctly acting on that belief, namely simply to believe. Some theologians refer to this act of believing as “appropriating the act of faith.”

What Reformed theology teaches is that even the ability to believe is an act of God’s sovereign grace. Hence, when people argue whether salvation is an act of my believing or act of God (sovereignty of God vs. responsibility of man), as I often say, it is not either or, but both.

V. Soli Deo Gloria (God’s Glory Alone)

Here lies the answer for God’s reconciliation of sinners to himself – so that he alone would be glorified. Hence, the goal of God’s redemption is worship. It is to the praise of the glory of his grace (Ephesians 1:6). God saved us, ultimately, so that he would be worshipped.

CONCLUSION

The Five-Solas of Reformation Gospel can be summarized this way: we are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, which is revealed in Scripture alone, all for God’s glory alone.

[1] John Calvin, The Institutes of Christian Religion, 2 volumes, translated and indexed by Ford Lewis Battles, edited by John T. McNeill (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006), 2:1018.

sacerdotalism.

The emphasis in the Roman Catholic tradition, especially as proclaimed in the Middle Ages, on the powers of earthly priests as essential mediators between God and humankind. Sacerdotalism teaches that by virtue of ordination priests have the gifting of the Spirit whereby they are able to transform mundane physical elements (water, bread and wine) into means of grace (PDTT, 104).

Because we desire to have a distraction-free service, please turn off all pagers and cell-phones. Also, we do not pass offering plate during the service, but our offering basket is located on the entry table for your giving. Thank you.

Lord’s Day Worship Service

October 25, 2009 – 9:30 AM

Rev. Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

Announcements

Call to Worship

• John 6:35

Songs/Hymns of Praise

• Endless Praises
• A Debtor To Mercy

• Receive the Glory

Scripture Reading

• Romans 16

Sermon** ……………………………………………………. Rev. Jim Kang       

THE FIVE-SOLAS OF REFORMATION GOSPEL

Selected Scripture

Song of Praise

• In Christ Alone

Communion

Recite VOW

Benediction

• 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

**This sermon can be heard again or download at www.sovereigngracebiblechurch.org. You can also read its transcript at www.sgbc.wordpress.com.

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Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to constantly apply the divine truths you have heard (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:7-9; James 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions:

• How does God want my beliefs/actions to change?
• How can I accomplish this change?
• What is the first step toward bringing about this change?

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VOW (Verse of the Week)

^NAU Revelation 2:10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested…Be faiful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you’re here for the first time, we want to give you a warm and friendly greeting, and we hope you’ll stay. Let us serve you with love in Christ’s name; and we hope you’ll come to serve with us. We ask that you fill-out the visitor’s card and dropped it into the offering basket.

However, if you come here regularly, week after week, have committed yourself to this ministry in membership and service, have put your hand to the plow with us, and support this local work of God with your prayers, your time, your labor, and your gifts, we want to give you a special greeting. We’ll never take you for granted!

Baptism will be held this morning, following the worship service. Congratulations to Tanner Leuthold, for his desire to be obedient to Christ’s command.

Daylight Saving Time Ends on Sunday, November 1. So please turn your clock one hour back on Saturday night when going to bed.

Leadership Meeting on Monday, November 2 at 7 pm.

Calvin for the Church Today: John Calvin’s Biblical Legacy for the Church in the 21^st Century [sponsored by United Reformed Church of Sioux Falls] on Saturday, November 21, 9 to 4, at Sonrise Baptist Church on 3300 E. Oak Street, Sioux Falls. Cost is $15 (includes lunch).

Books of the Month (Sale): Spiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, $13 (reg. $18); Handbook of Church Discipline by Jay Adams, $12 (reg. $15).

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Theological Word of the Week (#18)

sacerdotalism.

Due to limited space here, please visit our church’s blog for its definition.