2 Sermons on Heidelberg catechism

LORD'S DAY 20

53 Q. What do you believe  concerning "the Holy Spirit"?

A. First, He, as well as the Father and the Son,  is eternal God.

Second, He has been given to me personally, so that, by true faith,

He makes me share in Christ and all His blessings, comforts me, and remains with me forever.

John 14:16-31   Allos Paracletos    και αλλον παρακλητον δωσει υμιν

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person.

Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19,20, 2Cor 13:14

John14-16 a Person, one with the Father and Christ

Allos: Another Same  heteros: another different.

The Holy Spirit indwells every Christian

What is the role of the Holy Spirit? What does he actually do?

There are many valid biblical answers to that question. The Spirit:

• Regenerates us (John 3:6–7)

• Convicts us (John 16:8)

• Empowers us with gifts (1 Cor. 12:4 –7)

• Testifies in our hearts that we are God's children (Gal. 4:6)

• Leads us (Gal. 5:18, 25)

• Makes us fruitful (Gal. 5:22–23)

• Grants and nurtures in us resurrection life (Rom. 8:11)

• Enables us to kill sin (Rom. 8:13)

• Intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray (Rom. 8:26–27)

• Guides us into truth (John 16:13)

• Transforms us into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18)

These are all gloriously true. In this chapter I'd like to add just one more to this list: the Spirit causes us to actually feel Christ's heart for us.  The Spirit makes the heart of Christ real to us: not just heard, but seen; not just seen, but felt; not just felt, but enjoyed.

Accept the Comfort of the Holy Spirit "παρακλητον  - paracletos"

• He is the SOURCE of the Christian's knowledge

The Spirit takes what we read in the Bible and believe on paper about Jesus's heart and moves it from theory to reality, from doctrine to experience. It is one thing, as a child, to be told your father loves you. You believe him. You take him at his word. But it is another thing, unutterably more real, to be swept up in his embrace, to feel the warmth, to hear his beating heart within his chest, to instantly know the protective grip of his arms. It's one thing to hear he loves you; it's another thing to feel his love. This is the glorious work of the Spirit.

In John 14 –16 Jesus explains the work of the Spirit as an extension of his own work. And he says that the time in which he himself has left but the Spirit has come is a superior blessing to his people. Notice carefully the flow of thought in John 16 as Jesus makes this point:

But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, "Where are you going?" But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:5–7)

What is the advantage of the Spirit coming? The natural reading is that he will rectify something that is wrong. And what is wrong? "Sorrow has filled your heart" (John 16:6). Apparently the coming of the Spirit will do the opposite: fill their hearts with joy. The Spirit replaces sorrow with joy.

The disciples were sorrowful because Jesus was leaving them. He had befriended them and embraced them into his heart, so they thought that Jesus leaving meant Jesus's heart leaving—but the Spirit is the answer to how Jesus can leave them bodily while leaving his heart behind. The Spirit is the continuation of the heart of Christ for his people after the departure of Jesus to heaven.

Reflecting on this passage in John 16, Goodwin presses into the marrow of what Jesus is saying to his disciples: "My father and I have but only one friend, who lies in the bosom of us both, and proceeds from us both, the Holy Ghost, and in the meantime I will send him to you. . . . He shall be a better Comforter unto you than I am to be. . . . He will comfort you better than I. He shall tell you, if you will listen to him, and not grieve him, nothing but stories of my love. . . . All his speech in your hearts will be to advance me, and to greaten my worth and love unto you, and it will be his delight to do it."2 Goodwin then makes the explicit connection to Christ's heart:

So that you shall have my heart as surely and as speedily as if I were with you; and he will be continually breaking your hearts, either with my love to you, or yours to me, or both. . . . He will tell you, when I am in heaven, that there is as true a conjunction between me and you, and as true a dearness of affection in me towards you, as is between my Father and me, and that it is as impossible to break this knot, and to take off my heart from you, as my Father's from me.

Remember, the Spirit is a person. He can be grieved, for example (Isa. 63:10; Eph. 4:30). What would it look like to treat him as such in our actual lives? What might it look like to open up the vents of our hearts to receive the felt love of Christ as fanned into warm flame by the Holy Spirit? We bear in mind here that the Spirit will never fan the flames of the felt love of Christ beyond the degree to which Christ actually loves us; that is impossible. The Spirit simply causes our apprehension of Christ's heartful love to soar closer to what it actually is.

This is why, in another place, Paul says that "we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God" (1 Cor. 2:12). To grasp the role of the Holy Spirit, according to this text, we must bear in mind that the Greek word underlying understood (oida) should not be restricted to merely intellectual apprehension.

This verb simply means "to know," and as is generally the case with the Bible's language of epistemology, knowing here is something holistic—not less than intellectual apprehension, but more. It is experiential knowing, the way you know the sun is warm when you stand with your face raised to the sky on a cloudless warm day.

Paul is saying that the Spirit has been given to us in order that we might know, way down deep, the endless grace of the heart of God. "Freely given" in this text is simply the verb form (charizomai) of the common Greek word for "grace" (charis). The Spirit loves nothing more than to awaken and calm and soothe us with the heart knowledge of what we have been graced with.

The Spirit's role, in summary, is to turn our postcard apprehensions of Christ's great heart of longing affection for us into an experience of sitting on the beach, in a lawn chair, drink in hand, enjoying the actual experience. The Spirit does this decisively, once and for all, at regeneration. But he does it ten thousand times thereafter, as we continue through sin, folly, or boredom to drift from the felt experience of his heart.

He is the START of the Christian's life

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy,

God the Father thought the gospel.

God the Holy Spirit wrought in our hearts.

God the Son brought the gospel.

THE MIRACLE OF THE NEW BIRTH

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age…3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

sin affected us intellectually,  morally.  socially

THE MYSTERY OF THE NEW BIRTH

THE MEANS OF THE NEW BIRTH

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,6 whom He poured out upon us richly

J. I. Packer defines "Regeneration, or new birth, is an inner re-creating of fallen human nature by the gracious sovereign action of the Holy Spirit"

God the Son brought the gospel

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

THE MARKS OF THE NEW BIRTH

8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

A New Practice

A New Passion

THE MUST OF THE NEW BIRTH

LORD'S DAY 21  Are You In On God's Plan?

54 Q. What do you believe concerning "the holy catholic* church"?

A. I believe that the Son of God through His Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race,  from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for Himself  a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith.

And of this community I am and always will be a living member.

55 Q. What do you understand by  "the communion of saints"?

A. First, that believers, one and all,  as members of this community,  share in Christ  and in all His treasures and gifts.

Second, that each member  should consider it a duty  to use these gifts  readily and cheerfully  for the service and enrichment  of the other members.

 

 In Colossians 1:3-8, we get a glimpse of Paul's grateful heart, as he thanks God for the church at Colossae.

The Christian life should be characterized by thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Every day, no matter what, you should give thanks to God for the physical, material, relational, and spiritual blessings in your life. And among the things you should continually thank God for is the church. You should give thanks for the church of Jesus Christ around the world. You should give thanks for the local church you are a part of. You should follow the example of Paul, who writes in Colossians 1:3, "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you."

 Colossians 1:3-8 teaches us what it means to be the church of Jesus Christ. We should thank God for the marks and message and ministry of the church.

I. THANK GOD FOR THE MARKS OF THE CHURCH.

What are the marks of a true church? Verse 3-5a answers: "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven."

In Colossians 1:2, Paul addresses this letter to "the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae." The proof the Colossians were faithful saints in Christ was that they exhibited faith, hope, and love. These are the marks of the church.

A. TRUE CHRISTIANS HAVE FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.

In verses 3-4, Paul says, "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus..." This is where Christianity starts. There must be faith in Jesus Christ. You cannot have love for the saints or the hope of heaven without faith in Christ. John 3:18 says, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." True Christians have faith in Christ Jesus. The Philippian jailor asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:31 records their answer: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Note that their answer was a line, not a list. And that one-line answer pointed to belief, not behavior. Hebrews 11:6a says: "And without faith it is impossible to please him." Sincere motives, moral behavior, water baptism, church membership, and Christian service cannot save.

We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 4:4-5 says: "Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." Salvation is not a reward you earn. It is a gift you receive by faith in Jesus Christ.

B. TRUE CHRISTIANS HAVE LOVE FOR ALL THE SAINTS.

Again, verse 4 reports how long Paul has given thanks for the Colossians in his prayers: "since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints." In this verse, Paul places love alongside of faith as an essential mark of salvation. It was the report of both their faith and love that convinced Paul the Colossians were born again. Obviously, Paul would not have been convinced if the Colossians did not believe in Christ. Likewise, he would not have been convinced if they did not have love for the saints. Both go together – faith in Christ and love for the saints. John 13:34-35, Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Christians are not identified as such by their Bible knowledge, moral standards, ministry participation, good works, or spiritual gifts. Saved people are identified as saved people by their love for other saved people. What is the proof of Christian love? True Christian love is "for all the saints." Real Christians do not pick and choose whom they will love. They do not limit their love to some saints, selected saints, or special saints. They loved all the saints, regardless of age, race, gender, status, or temperament. We are to love all the saints within our local fellowship. And we are to love all the saints beyond our local fellowship.

C. TRUE CHRISTIANS HAVE THE HOPE OF HEAVEN.

Verse 5a states the reason why the Colossians possessed Christian faith and practiced Christian love: "because of the hope laid up for you in heaven." What is hope? It is more than wishful thinking. Christian hope is true assurance, patient waiting, and confident expectation.  Verse 5 says Christian hope is "laid up for you in heaven." This is a statement about the assurance of salvation. It tells the source of true assurance. It comes from heaven – not from preachers or parents or decision counselors. Assurance comes from God who puts heaven in the hearts of his children. This statement also tells us the security of true assurance. It is laid up for us in heaven. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

 

II. THANK GOD FOR THE MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH.

What is the basis of Christian hope? According to verses 5-6, our hope is based on the gospel. The word "gospel" means good news or glad tidings. This good news is the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The foundation of our hope is what God has done for us in Christ, not what we do for God. Hope is based on the gospel. In verses 5-6, Paul states three facts about the gospel for which we should give thanks.

A. THE GOSPEL IS TRUTH.

Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing---as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,

B. THE GOSPEL IS POWERFUL.

Verses 5b-6 says: "Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing – as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth."

Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." This spiritual power is described in verse 6 with two agricultural pictures: "bearing fruit and growing."

The gospel bears fruit. This is a powerful metaphor that describes the work of the gospel among unbelievers. In Romans 1:13, Paul writes, "I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well among the rest of the Gentiles." This is the confidence with which we should proclaim the gospel. The gospel bears fruit. Likewise, the gospel grows. Bearing fruit describes the power of the gospel among unbelievers; growing describes the power of the gospel among believers.

C. THE GOSPEL IS GOD-CENTERED.

The last clause of verse 6 tells us how long the gospel had been bearing fruit and growing in Colossae: "since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth." The gospel is the truth about God and his grace, not about man and his works. Ephesians 2:8 says, "By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Good works, cannot save us. We are saved by the grace of God. Grace is unmerited favor, unearned kindness, and undeserved benevolence. It is when God gives you what you don't deserve. It is when God gives forgiveness when you deserve punishment. It is when God gives heaven when you deserve hell. It is when God gives life when you deserve death.

 

III. THANK GOD FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.  Colossians 1:7-8

A. THE CHURCH IS TO BE A PLACE OF LEARNING.

In verse 7a, Paul points the Colossians back to their introduction to the gospel: "just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant." Apparently, Paul did not view the gospel to be merely a simple set of facts. He viewed it as something that needed to be learned. the Colossians learned the truth about God's grace from Epaphras. Colossians was a learning church. And so it should be with every true church. The church is to be a place of learning. This involves the receptivity of members. The members must be willing to learn.

And the focus is learning of the grace of God.

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

B. THE CHURCH IS TO BE A PLACE OF LOVE.

7-8 Concerning Epaphras, Paul says, "He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit."

The Holy Spirit is the source of Christian love. Only the Holy Spirit can produce love in the hearts of Christians. You cannot do it by yourself. Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love." True Christian love is not produced with human intellect, by human energy, or through human resources. Nothing in us can prompt it. Nothing in us can sustain it. And nothing in us can accomplish it. In John 13:34, Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." That phrase, "just as I have loved you," is the standard of Christian love. We are love one another the way Christ has loved us. Do you know how Christ loved you? He lived for you. He suffered for you. He died for you. We can only love one another in a Christlike way by the dynamic help of the Holy Spirit.

 

I saw an interesting ornament on a farm house.  It got my attention. It was what looked like a man pumping furiously at a hand pump. The man continued to pump rapidly; he seemed absolutely tireless, pumping on and on, up and down, without slowing up. It was a remarkable sight. But the wooden figure painted to look like a man was pumping so rapidly.  What was driving the wooden man to pump the water?  The hand was wired to the pump handle. The water was pouring forth, but not because the figure was pumping it. It was an artesian well, and that water was pumping the man.

 

29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.