Saturday, November 27, 2021
Heidelberg Catechism #1 1John 1
1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?
A. That I am not my own,1 but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,2 to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.3 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,4 and has set me free from all the power of the devil.5
He also preserves me in such a way6 that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;7 indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.8
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life9 and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.10
1 1 Cor 6:19, 20. 2 Rom 14:7-9. 3 1 Cor 3:23; Tit 2:14. 4 1 Pet 1:18, 19; 1 Jn 1:7; 2:2. 5 Jn 8:34-36; Heb 2:14, 15; 1 Jn 3:8. 6 Jn 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess 3:3; 1 Pet 1:5. 7 Mt 10:29-31; Lk 21:16-18. 8 Rom 8:28. 9 Rom 8:15, 16; 2 Cor 1:21, 22; 5:5; Eph 1:13, 14. 10Rom 8:14.
Concerning this comfort of Assurance of Salvation we must enquire:
I. What is it?
II. In how many parts does it consist?
III. Why is it alone solid and sure?
IV. Why is it necessary?
V. How many things are necessary for its attainment?
Heidelberg Catechism #1
Have you been wrestling with some hard and deep questions about your life? "How can I be happy?" "Who am I?" "Why am I here?"
On Thursday I had a chat with my RAAF neighbor. We talked about how to keep our heads in a world that is going mad. How do you keep your head? We talked about knowing that God is the final authority. He is the final authority over the events that happen here on earth. Nothing is outside His Sovereign will.
Nothing is outside His Purposes for our lives.
And that was the point that resonated with my neighbor.
And finding purpose in our lives is related to finding the ultimate purpose of the Universe. This is a big picture item that brings permanent stability and joy into a person's life even during confusing times of crisis.
Did you know that the Heidelberg Catechism, addresses some of these big picture items.
The Heidelberg catechism was written in Heidelberg at the request of Elector Frederick III, ruler of the most influential German province, the Palatinate, from 1559 to 1576. This godly Christian prince commissioned Zacharius Ursinus, twenty-eight years of age and professor of theology at the Heidelberg University, and Caspar Olevianus, twenty-six years old and Frederick's court preacher, to prepare a catechism for instructing the youth and for guiding pastors and teachers. Frederick obtained the advice and cooperation of the entire theological faculty in the preparation of the Catechism. The Heidelberg Catechism was adopted by a Synod in Heidelberg and published in German January 19, 1563. On this Reformation Day (October 31st) that is celebrated around the world, it is opportune to refresh ourselves with the big picture item that brings true joy and stability into human lives. It is these truths that were rediscovered during the Reformation and are written down for our benefit in the Reformed Confessions.
Listen to the first great purpose of the Universe and how it relates to your life:
1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?
A. That I am not my own,1 but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,2 to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.3 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,4 and has set me free from all the power of the devil.5
He also preserves me in such a way6 that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;7 indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.8
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life9 and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.10
1 1 Cor 6:19, 20. 2 Rom 14:7-9. 3 1 Cor 3:23; Tit 2:14. 4 1 Pet 1:18, 19; 1 Jn 1:7; 2:2. 5 Jn 8:34-36; Heb 2:14, 15; 1 Jn 3:8. 6 Jn 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess 3:3; 1 Pet 1:5. 7 Mt 10:29-31; Lk 21:16-18. 8 Rom 8:28. 9 Rom 8:15, 16; 2 Cor 1:21, 22; 5:5; Eph 1:13, 14. 10Rom 8:14.
The Dutch Reformation proper may be divided into four periods: the Lutheran period (October 31st 1517–1526), the Sacramentarian phase (1526–1531), the Anabaptist movement (1531–1545), and the most influential—the Calvinist infiltration. It is preeminently concerned with spiritual life (geestelijk leven) and experience (bevindelijk), so that a heavy accent falls on the practice of piety. Reformed preachers reveal clearly the false, sandy foundations of the nominal Christians, proclaiming plainly our misery and total depravity, and recommend especially the way of reconciliation with God in Christ, bringing the sincere invitations and callings of the gospel, encouraging the concerned souls of true seekers of God. Thus, the preaching of the Reformation emphasized experiential theology, which M. Eugene Osterhaven has defined as "that broad stream of Reformed teaching which, accepting the creeds of the church, emphasized the new birth, the conversion, and the sanctification of the believer so that he might acquire an experiential or personal knowledge of Christ's saving grace."
Here's some good news! Your existence is not a result of random chance. It has a purpose, and God is in charge. Because of God's revelation in the Bible, we know that man is different from animals because he was created with a soul. Man was created to do far more than eat, drink, and fulfill our lusts. Many today chase these activities in hopes that they can be made happy. Yet scripture teaches that our happiness was never designed to be tied to our circumstances — we can find temporary pleasure, but we cannot find lasting happiness. The thing that our happiness is dependent upon is a relationship with God. Yet, our sin separates us from Him. What can be done about this? Nothing of our own accord — the Bible tells us that we cannot earn our way to God. He sent His sinless Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and rise from the dead so that all who put their faith in His sacrifice can be saved. This is how you can have peace with God — repent from your sin and believe today!
Some object that the Gospel is of no value because progress has left it far behind. Yet, we are reminded that the struggles of people today are no different than they were in the first century — Scripture is still incredibly relevant. So what is the Gospel? What is man's authority? What role does Christianity take in your life? Is it a Sunday-only activity that helps you to meet other people? Do you take some of its points and mix it in with aspects from other worldviews? Or is it central to every aspect of your existence? You cannot have the benefits of Christianity without believing and following Christ. The Gospel is important for everyone. Jesus, the God-man, entered into time and became God in the flesh. In His living, He showed us how man is to live. In His sacrificial death and resurrection, He made a way for people to be made right with God and to have their sins forgiven. All that He claimed to be while alive was proven by His resurrection, showing that He is God and the Lord over all, even death. He established that death is not the end — He has conquered it. Friend, you cannot have this hope and confidence unless you are trusting in Jesus solely as your Savior from sin and following Him as your master. As the hymn states so beautifully, "What is our hope in life and death? Christ alone, Christ alone." He alone can save and give us the hope we yearn for.
The gospel will benefit anyone who believes in Jesus Christ— it is good news for all people. Horatio Spafford who penned the well-known hymn, "It is Well with My Soul." wrote this hymn soon after the tragic drowning of his children and losing most of his wealth. Though all here on earth could be going horribly wrong, and though evil and its results seem to prevail, followers of Jesus have hope.
1John 1
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4We write this to make our joy complete.
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
The Plan Of Our Redemption Historically
A Real Incarnation
A Real Crucifixion
A Real Resurrection
The Purpose of Our Redemption Theologically
The Price Of Our Redemption Personally
The Practice of our Redemption Experientially
Sin Must Be Exposed 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
Sin Must Be Expressed 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Sin Must Be Expiated and Expelled 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
What to Know
The value God has placed on you is the value you should place on yourself. You can live as someone valued by God when you know these vital truths.
1. Christ wants to have a relationship with you. When Paul prayed that "Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith", he wasn't referring to something temporary. Jesus wants to live and relate with you permanently.
2. You can experience Christ's extravagant love. As if being pursued relationally by the Son of God isn't enough, even more amazing is the fact that he wants you to know and experience "how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ"!
3. You can live a full and fulfilled life. Jesus wants you to "be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" and came that you might have life more abundantly.
4. God's power is not limited. He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine"
5. God can do a great work within you. This divine love and power that exceeds your imagination works in you (because his Spirit strengthens you and Christ lives in you.
You Are Valuable to God
1. You are valuable because of who you are. You are made in God's image, according to his likeness. A long time ago, even before God created you and before he created this universe, you were the focus of his love. "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight".
2. You are valuable because of what you cost. As one loved by God, you have also been chosen by God for "adoption to sonship by Jesus Christ". This adoption came at a high price, the death of his Son. ". . . To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins".
3. You are valuable because of what you can become. As a person who is loved by God and adopted into his family, you can be sure that God has a plan for your life: "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory".
Reformation Day History And Me
"How can I be happy?" "Who am I?" "Why am I here?"
Finding purpose in our lives is related to finding the ultimate purpose of the Universe.
The Heidelberg Catechism
1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.
He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.
Dutch Reformation's 4 Stages
The Dutch Reformation proper may be divided into four periods:
the Lutheran period (1517–1526),
the Sacramentarian phase (1526–1531),
the Anabaptist movement (1531–1545),
the Calvinist phase
What is your only comfort in life and death?
That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.
experiential theology. Reformed teaching accepts the creeds of the church, emphasizes the new birth, the conversion, and the sanctification of the believer so that we might acquire an experiential or personal knowledge of Christ's saving grace.
"What is our hope in life and death? Christ alone, Christ alone." He alone can save and give us the hope we yearn for.
1 John 1
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4We write this to make our joy complete.
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
The Plan Of Our Redemption Historically
A Real Incarnation
A Real Crucifixion
A Real Resurrection
The Purpose of Our Redemption Theologically
The Price Of Our Redemption Personally
The Practice of our Redemption Experientially
Fellowship with God
Purpose in Life
Fellowship with other believers
Sin Must Be Exposed 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
Sin Must Be Expressed 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Sin Must Be Expiated and Expelled 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1. Christ wants to have a relationship with you.
2. You can experience Christ's extravagant love.
3. You can live a full and purposeful life.
4. God's power is not limited.
5. God can do a great work within you.
You Are Valuable to God
1. You are valuable because of who you are. You are made in God's image (Genesis 1:26). "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight" (Ephesians 1:4).
2. You are valuable because of what you cost. "adoption to sonship by Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:5). This adoption came at a high price, the death of his Son. ". . . To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (1:6–7).
3. You are valuable because of what you can become. "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:11–12).
The Heidelberg Catechism
1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.
He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.
Concerning this comfort of Assurance of salvation we must enquire:
I. What is it?
II. In how many parts does it consist?
III. Why is it alone solid and sure?
IV. Why is it necessary?
V. How many things are necessary for its attainment?
