2-Minute Theology - TRINITY BIBLE CHURCH

Views of God's Existence: Part 2 - False Views

10/21/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · Views Of God’s Existence: Part 2 - False Views

Agnosticism believes that God’s existence is unknowable and impossible to know. Scripture states that God can be known by those who seek Him.

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. - Deuteronomy 4:29

Atheism believes that God does not exist. Scripture states that those who claim there is no God are fools.

The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. - Psalm 14:1

Deism believes that God exists, but that God is uncaring and uninvolved with His Creation. Furthermore, it denies the Trinity, the inspiration of Scripture, Christ’s deity, and miracles. Scripture states, that God is very involved in the natural processes of the created realm.

For to the snow He says, Fall on the earth, And to the downpour and the rain, Be strong. From the breath of God ice is made, And the expanse of the waters is frozen. Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of His lightning. It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, That it may do whatever He commands it, On the face of the inhabited earth. - Job 37:6, 10-12

Pantheism believes that God is in everything and everything is God; there is no distinct personal God. Hence, a rock, a tree, the sun, and grass are God. Scripture states that God is not to be worshipped with idols or images of anything from the created realm. If God were a rock, a tree, the sun, or grass why forbid worshipping Him with these images?

You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; - Exodus 20:4-5

Polytheism believes that there are many gods. Scripture states that there is only one God — the Lord — YHWH.

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! - Deuteronomy 6:4
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. - Psalm 96:5
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. - James 2:19

Views of God's Existence: Part 1 - Monotheism

10/21/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · Views Of God’s Existence: Part 1 - Monotheism

Monotheism believes in one God, Who is creator, omnipotent (i.e., all powerful), omnipresent (i.e., everywhere present) and omniscient (i.e., all knowing) and intervenes in the affairs of the world.

To you it was shown that you might know that the Lord, He is God; there is no other besides Him. - Deuteronomy 4:35
yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. - 1 Corinthians 8:6
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, - 1 Timothy 2:5

Besides the many Biblical prooftexts supporting monotheism, there are three key arguments support monotheism.

First, a study of world religions demonstrates that at their roots, they began as monotheistic, before devolving into polytheism. Each of these religions share a set of common truths: one God who is personal, omniscient, and omnipotent, who created the world, is the author of morality, and provides reconciliation to those who disobey Him. That these religions share these common truths demonstrates that monotheism is foundational to humanity’s belief in God.

Second, the universe demands one God who orders and sustains the universe. If more than one God existed, it would result in chaos and disorder in the universe. Such chaos and disorder would be the result of each competing deity’s authority and choice.

Third, God is a perfect being. Perfection means that God lacks nothing in His character or attributes. In other words, God is complete, full, wanting in nothing. Therefore, for another deity to exist, it would have to be different from God. Anything different from perfect is less than perfect.

God Is The Creator: Part 3

10/16/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · God Is The Creator: Part 3

That creation has a beginning, and an end is the testimony of Scripture. The Hebrew term b’rêshîth or beginning in Genesis 1:1 refers to an absolute beginning. The translators of the Septuagint understood this when they translated b’rêshîth as en archē, which also refers to an absolute beginning. Therefore, time, space, matter, energy, ultimately the universe all had an absolute beginning.

Time’s beginning is established on the first day of creation.

God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. - Genesis 1:5

The Hebrew term translated as a day is yōm. Yōm refers to a literal, twenty-four hour cycle. During the first twenty-four-hour cycle of creation, God separated the darkness and the light into evening and morning. This twenty-four-hour cycle, divided between evening and morning, continued throughout the next five days and continues even into the present.

Along with time, God created space and matter.

Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it, - Isaiah 42:5
For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), I am the Lord, and there is none else. - Isaiah 45:18

All things, both visible and invisible, within the realm of space and matter, were created by God.

In whose hand are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it, And His hands formed the dry land. - Psalm 95:4-5
The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth… He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; - Acts 17-24a-25b

God Is The Creator - Part 2

10/16/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · God Is The Creator: Part 2

Genesis 1:3 states, “and God said.” The verb said (‘amar) is in the jussive mood, which means that God did not simply speak creation into existence, He commanded it.

For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. - Psalm 33:9
Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. - Psalm 148:2-5

Thus, God created by command or divine fiat (ex verbum deo). Furthermore, what He commanded into existence, was not made from previously existing matter.

By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. - Hebrews 11:3

This is underscored by the Hebrew term bārā’ translated as created in Genesis 1:1. The term bārā’ means to produce something which never existed before.

What did God command into existence? God commanded all things into existence, including time, space and matter. Time, space, and matter are not eternal. First, Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity demonstrates that time cannot exist independently of matter and energy. Second, the Second Law of Thermodynamics states that the amount of energy in the universe is running out. Since time cannot exist independent of matter and energy and the amount of energy in the universe is running out, then time and matter would be running out as well. If time, matter, and energy are running out, they will come to an end. Also, if the universe is losing said time, matter, and energy, it too will come to an end. If these have an end, then they had a beginning and are not eternal.

God Is the Creator: Part 1

10/14/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · God Is The Creator - Part 1

Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God, created the heavens and the earth.” From the opening statement of Scripture, God reveals Himself as Creator. It is this very revelation of God, which evolutionist seek to rid themselves. Herbert Spencer, one of the originators of the theory of evolution, vehemently denied God as the source of Creation. In his book, First Principles, he argues that five things are necessary for creation: Time, Force, Action, Space, and Matter.

Here is an excellent example of God using the mysteries of creation to disgrace the philosophers of the world (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:27). While Mr. Spencer sought to undermine the validity of creation theology, he unwittingly underscored the very truth of creation theology as revealed in Genesis 1:1. God says, “In the beginning” (TIME) “God” (FORCE) “created” (ACTION) “the heavens” (SPACE) “and the earth” (MATTER). God is the force or energy, which performed the creating action. God spoke, and it happened.

And God said... - Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host. - Psalm 33:6

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy can be transferred, but it cannot be created or destroyed. In other words, energy cannot be created from nothing; it must be transferred from another source. As we have set forth, God is eternal and self-sufficient. Therefore, He is uncaused and the First Cause in creation.

The energy in the universe originated from God. On the first day of creation, God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:4). Light is energy (it is one form of electromagnetic energy). When God said, “Let there be light,” God did not create light or energy, but transferred energy from His own essence.

… God is Light… - 1 John 1:5b

The Law of God: Part 13 - Resisting the Allure of Antinomianism

10/14/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 13 - Resisting The Allure Of Antinomianism

To resist the allure of antinomianism, believers must remember that Christ has redeemed them from lawlessness.

who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless (anomía) deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. - Titus 2:14

Being set free from lawlessness, no true believer would want to again enslave themselves. As well, believers must not join together, in spiritual endeavors, with those who are lawless or antinomian.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness (anomía), or what fellowship has light with darkness? - 2 Corinthians 6:14

The lawless or antinomians are the ungodly.

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness (anomía), resulting in further lawlessness (anomía), so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. - Romans 6:19

Those who practice lawlessness or antinomianism will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but be cast into the Lake of Fire.

And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (anomía). - Matthew 7:23
The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness (anomía), and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. - Matthew 13:41

Finally, believers must meditate on God’s Law, regularly.

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate (hāgâ) on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. - Joshua 1:8

The Law of God: Part 12 - Antinomianism

10/10/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 12 - Antinomianisn

Antinomianism attempts to do away with God’s Law. By teaching that Christians are free from the obligations of God’s Law, antinomianism takes the Biblical teaching — that God’s Law does not save — to an unbiblical conclusion. While God’s Law is not a means of salvation, Christians are still obligated to obey God’s Law as a rule of life (cf. 1 John 5:3).

Antinomianism (anomía) comes from two terms — anti (against) and nomos (law) — meaning lawlessness. God calls lawlessness sin.

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness (anomía); and sin is lawlessness. - 1 John 3:4

Indeed, antinomianism is the spirit of lawlessness that reigns in the children of disobedience.

For the mystery of lawlessness (anomía) is already at work;- 2 Thessalonians 2:7
For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, - Colossians 3:6

By removing God’s Law, antinomianism results in spiritual anarchy. Such anarchy rears its head in the idea that a Christian can live a life of sin and still be forgiven. According to R. C. Sproul, the song of the antinomian is, “Free from the law, O blessed condition; I can sin all I want and still have remission!” (1)

In reality, antinomianism has produced an entire generation of professing Christians, who are still dead in sin. As Sinclair Ferguson stated, in The Whole Christ, “The wholesale removal of the law seems to provide a refuge for the antinomian. But the problem is not the law, but the heart that remains unchanged.” (2)

ENDNOTES:

R. C. Sproul, Pleasing God (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1988), 152.
John MacArthur Jr., The Right Motive in Sanctification. Grace to You Ministries, Retrieved: January 25, 2019 < https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/48-24/the-right-motive-in-sanctification >

The Law of God: Part 11 - Implementing the Law Biblically

10/10/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 11 - Implementing The Law Biblically

Just because some aspects of the Law cannot be performed today because the conditions are unattainable, is not a valid excuse to randomly nullify God’s Law. For example, believers cannot perform Levitical sacrifices today in their backyards, because they need to be performed in Jerusalem, at the Temple, by a Levitical priest. However, believers can still live sacrificial lives. All of God’s Law still applies, it just needs to implemented Biblically.

Regarding the implementation of God’s Law Biblically, Gordon J. Wenham stated, “Instead of distinguishing between moral and civil laws, it would be better to say that some injunctions are broad and generally applicable to most societies, while others are more specific and directed at the particular social problems of ancient Israel. In this commentary the following position is assumed: the principles underlying the Old Testament are valid and authoritative for the Christian, but the particular applications found in the Old Testament may not be. The moral principles are the same today, but insofar as our situation often differs from the Old Testament setting, the application of the principles in our society may well be different too.” (1)

Believers are not in the position to pick and choose what laws they want to follow. They need to pursue all that they can in order to be wholly obedient to God.

ENDNOTES:

Gordon J. Wenham, The New International Commentary of the Old Testament: The Book of Leviticus, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979), 35.

The Law of God: Part 10 - Faith Does Not Nullify the Law

10/7/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 10 - Faith Dies Not Nullify The Law

Faith does not nullify the Law but rather establishes it (Romans 3:31).

Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish (hístēmi) the Law. - Romans 3:31

Faith does not replace the Law because the Law was never a way of salvation. The term establish is what faith does to the Law. Establish (hístēmi) means to make firm or stable, to instituting permanently by enactment or agreement. Faith does not invalidate the Law but returns it to its proper place. Returning the Law to its proper place, was Jesus’ purpose of the Sermon on the Mount. John MacArthur states: “Jesus lifted up the Law and the Old Testament so high that He wound up exposing all the Pharisees and the scribes as hypocrites. […] [Jesus] arrives and opens up His sermon by saying, ‘Here’s my standard of righteousness, and here’s how you live in the world, and the base of it all is to be obedient to God's inviolable and unchanging Law.’ Anyone who doesn't live by God’s standards, who substitutes a man-made system, is no more than a spiritual phony.”(1)

Obedience to God’s Law still results in blessing while disobedience still results in punishment.

Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day… - Deuteronomy 11:26-28
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. […] Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. - Psalm 119:1
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. - Luke 11:28
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. - James 1:25

ENDNOTES:

John MacArthur Jr., Christ and the Law. Grace to You Ministries, Retrieved: February 06, 2017 <http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/2209/christ-and-the-law-part-1>

The Law Of God: Part 9 - Believers Are Not Free From God’s Law

10/7/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 9 - Believers Are Not Free From God’s Law

Some claim that Jesus set believers free from God’s Law and therefore they are no longer obliged to obey it.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. - Galatians 5:1

There are two significant problems with this opinion. First, from what did Christ free believers? As stated previously, believers are free from the Law of Sin and Death, not the Law of God. As well, it has been established that God’s Law is not bondage. In the context of Galatians 5:1, Jesus did not set believers free from the Law of God, but rather the curse of the Law.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree— - Galatians 3:13

The curse of the Law of God is death. Christ redeemed us from the curse of God’s Law, by paying the penalty for sin.

He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. - Romans 4:25

If someone pays someone else’s speeding ticket, does that abolish the speeding laws? No, it does not abolish the law. In the same manner, Jesus through the Holy Spirit liberated the believer from the yoke of bondage, the corruption of sin and death.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. - 2 Corinthians 3:17
that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. - Romans 8:21

Believers are now free to live according to the Perfect Law of Liberty (cf. James 1:25) which enables one to walk in freedom.

And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. - Psalm 119:45