2-Minute Theology - TRINITY BIBLE CHURCH

The Decree of God: Part 4 - The Plan of Redemption

10/28/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Decree Of God: Part 4 - The Plan Of Redemption

The decree of God also includes the plan of redemption.

For those whom He foreknew (proginṓskō), He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; - Romans 8:29

The term foreknew (proginṓskō) means to know something beforehand. It implies something fixed or certain — a decree. Thus, foreknowledge is knowledge of a plan that is fixed or certain. In other words, God foresaw creation because He decreed creation. God foresaw causes and consequences because He decreed those causes and consequences. God foresaw the redeemed because He decreed that He would redeem individuals.

There are various views as to how the plan of redemption was laid out in the decree. These views are known as lapsarianism. Lapsarian refers to the point at which man lapsed into sin. As a doctrine, lapsarianism determines the arrangement or order of the redemption plan within the decree. There are four orders, only one is Biblical.

Supralapsarianism teaches that God elected some to salvation and reprobated all others, created humanity, permitted the fall, and provide salvation for the elect.

Sublapsarianism teaches that God created all humanity, permitted the fall, elected some to salvation while leaving the others condemned, and provided salvation to the elect.

Infralapsarianism teaches that God created all humanity, permitted the fall, provided salvation for humanity, elected some to salvation while leaving the other condemned, and applied salvation to those who believe.

Biblical lapsarianism teaches that God created all humanity, permitted humanity a free will with its consequences, provided salvation to humanity, save and secure every sinner who responds to the call, foreknow all who believe, predestinate them to adoption and conformity to the image of His Son, and elect them to be holy in His presence.

The Decree of God: Part 3 - The Extent of God's Decree

10/28/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Decree Of God: Part 3 - The Extent Of God’s Decree

Humanity’s free will exists within the boundary of God’s permanent will. People will never choose anything that will contradict or counteract the permanency of God’s decree. The freedom of choice that humankind has been granted is a choice between the perfect and permissive aspects of God’s will.

For example, God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam had a choice — to eat or not to eat. Had Adam chosen not to eat, He would have chosen God’s perfect will. Adam would have been blessed and lived forever in perfect fellowship with Eve and God. However, Adam chose to eat the fruit. In doing so, He chose the permissive will. This choice resulted in the curse of death and chastening from God.

While the decree of God is a single all-encompassing plan, it manifests itself through various appointments. God appointed governments, nations and their boundaries.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. - Romans 13:1
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples… - Deuteronomy 32:8
and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, - Acts 17:26

He appointed the length of human life and death.

Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; And his limits You have set so that he cannot pass. - Job 14:5
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, - Hebrews 9:27

Though each appointment was distinct and manifested itself at different points of time, they were part of the decree of God, established in eternity past.

The Decree of God: Part 2 - Permanent, Perfect, and Permissive

10/24/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Decree Of God: Part 2 - Permanent, Perfect, And Permissive

As the outworking of His will, the decree of God has three aspects — permanent, perfect, and permissive. The permanent aspect is those things in which God directly and actively brings to pass.

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), - Isaiah 45:18
It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. - Daniel 2:21
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, What have You done? - Daniel 4:35

The perfect and permissive aspects exist within the permanent aspect of God’s decree. Picture God’s permanent will as a circle. Within that circle is the perfect and permissive aspects of God’s will. They are contained within the circle. They cannot change or alter the circle.

The perfect describes those things that God has commanded His people to do.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2

The permissive describes those things which God allows. Following the perfect results in blessing, whereas following the permissive results in a curse or chastisement.

See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today. - Deuteronomy 11:26-28

The Decree of God: Part 1 - God's All-Encompassing Plan

10/24/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Decree Of God: Part 1 - God’s All-Encompassing Plan

God’s purposes and plans are established by decree. The decree of God is referred to as God working all things after the counsel of His will.

also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, - Ephesians 1:11

It is the working of His sovereign control over all things. The decree of God is one single, all-encompassing plan.

He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention (eudokía) which He purposed in Him […] also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose (próthesis) who works all things after the counsel (boulḗ) of His will (thélēma), - Ephesians 1:9, 11

God established His plan according to His kind intention (eudokía). God’s decree is a fixed intention of benevolent favor. God established His plan according to His purpose (próthesis). His purpose is a determination to achieve something. God established His plan according to His counsel (boulḗ). Counsel is a thought-out plan, a series of steps to carry out a goal. God established His plan according to His will (thélēma). God’s will is an attitude of a mind that favors one alternative over other alternatives.

The decree of God control and guides all events for His glory and the good of His people.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

God does not adjust His plan on account of the events of human history.

This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back? - Isaiah 14:26-27

Instead, He freely and independently established His decree. Because God is immutable, His decree cannot change or be altered.

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