Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 4: Creation
As a congregation recently aligned with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, we will continue working through the Westminster Confession of Faith on this blog. I hope this will deepen your understanding of our faith's theological foundations. The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms are cornerstone documents embodying the rich theological heritage of the Reformed faith. Today, we focus on Chapter 4 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, which discusses God’s creative work.
Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 3: God’s Eternal Decree
As an Evangelical Presbyterian Church, we stand proudly in the Reformed tradition. We subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith, a cornerstone document articulating the Reformed faith's core tenets. Among its chapters, Chapter 3 stands out for delving into the profound and sometimes challenging doctrine of God's eternal decree. It ventures into the territory of God's sovereignty and human freedom, a topic that has intrigued, challenged, and even confused believers for centuries. Let’s look at a few key points of this chapter of the confession. Let's quickly unpack this chapter to make its teachings accessible and meaningful for our daily walk.
Westminster Confession of Faith: Chapter 2
As we continue looking at the Westminster Confession of Faith, we dive into Chapter 2. After speaking on Holy Scripture in Chapter 1, we turn the page and zoom in on God and the Holy Trinity. It is a heavy topic, to be sure, but the Westminster Confession of Faith takes this difficult topic and condenses it down for us in a helpful and terse way.
A Sure Confidence
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Last month I shared that I had been experiencing some television nostalgia by watching the Andy Griffith show. Enjoying stepping back into the past inspired me to watch another show that I watched as a child. When I was younger there was nothing more exciting than Friday evening at 7:00 PM. That was when "The Dukes of Hazzard" would come through the airwaves to channel 11 on our TV set. The show had cars flying through the air and arrows with sticks of dynamite attached to them. What's not to love?
Westminster Confession of Faith: Chapter One
The first chapter of the Westminster Confession deals with the topic of Holy Scripture and it answers some important question for us about the Bible, such as:
- How do we know God and his will for us?
- What are the books that make up the Bible?
- How do we know that the Bible is God's word and has authority over us?
- How can we be sure that what the Bible says is true?
Devotions: Blessed Are Those Who Hear and Keep
Day 1:
Reading: Luke 11:14-23
Devotional: Today, focus on Jesus's authority over evil spirits. Reflect on the fact that Jesus's miracles are not random acts but meaningful demonstrations of His divine power. Jesus, through His authority, breaks the bonds of sin and evil, setting us free. Consider how this impacts your understanding of Jesus's miracles and His authority.
Question: How does understanding Jesus's authority over evil and death change your perception of His role in your life?
Three Reasons We Say a Prayer of Confession Each Week
Often people wonder the reasons behind some of the elements of worship that we do each week. Maybe you have wondered why we do a Prayer of Confession each week. In many cases the Prayer of Confession is the element of worship that is the first to go when a church trims something from their worship service. For me, the prayer of confession is one of the most important aspects of worship that we do each week and there are three primary reasons that I feel this way.
Devotions: Held by God
Day 1:
Bible Reading: Psalm 57:1-3
Devotional: Begin the week by reflecting on God's steadfast love and faithfulness, as revealed in the Psalms. This passage illustrates the depth of God's care for us, His constant presence and the refuge He provides in times of turmoil. Consider how God has been your refuge and fortress in times of adversity.
Question: How have you experienced God's steadfast love and faithfulness in your life?
October 8 Sermon: Held by God
Here we are today. We're finishing up our five-week series on understanding grace, and what we have been doing is we've been looking at the doctrines of grace and we'll review those here in just another second but today we are considering the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Now, during our journey through these five points in the doctrines of grace, I have been pointing out that there is a logical progression and consistency to these doctrines, and so it all starts out with our understanding of total depravity.
Our Identity in Christ
You are a new creation in Christ. As we grow in grace and the Holy Spirit works in us we will see this coming through in our lives. While we do not reach perfection in this life we are confronted with our sin, comforted with the gospel, and God grants us the gift of repentance to love and serve him in his world. As we journey through this life may we come to embrace our identity in Jesus and never doubt who we are or whose we are.
Devotions: Transformed by the Spirit
Day 1:
Bible Reading: Romans 8:28-30
Devotional: Today, we dive into the doctrine of predestination. Reflect on how God knew you before the foundations of the world and chose you for His glory. Recognize that God's grace is so powerful that it transforms our hearts and minds, drawing us to Him irresistibly. Pray for a deeper understanding of this divine election and its implications for your life.
Question: How does understanding God’s predestination impact your view of His grace?
October 1 Sermon: Transformed by the Spirit
In week four of our series “Understanding Grace” we look at the doctrine of Irresistible Grace. For those appointed to salvation, the Holy Spirit will work in their life to bring them to faith in Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches us that we are all dead in sin and unable to come to God on our own. However, when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and draws us to Christ, we understand the irresistible nature of God’s grace.
The doctrine of irresistible grace is a source of great comfort and assurance for believers. It reminds us that our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts, but on the grace of God. It also gives us confidence that God will continue His transforming work in our lives to conform us to the image of His Son.
Devotions: Intentional Atonement
Day 1:
Bible Reading: Isaiah 53:1-6
Devotional: Reflect on the suffering of Jesus, the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Consider how Jesus took on our grief, carried our sorrows, and was pierced for our transgressions. Take some time today to thank Jesus for His sacrifice and ask for His grace to follow Him faithfully.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does Jesus' suffering mean to you personally?
2. How does knowing that Jesus bore your sins affect your understanding of God's love for you?
3. How can you show gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice in your daily life?
September 24 Sermon: Intentional Atonement
We have all been in positions where we are experimenting with something and we find ourselves unsure whether what we have been laboring over has been worthwhile or not. This could be something like substituting an ingredient or a recipe or it could be trying a part that you aren’t sure is compatible in something you are fixing. It comes to the point where you say “I sure hope this works” and give it a try. There is a lot of satisfaction when what you have gambled on works but at the same time you aren’t surprised when it doesn’t work out exactly as you had hoped because you were taking a shot in the dark anyway.
Devotions: Adopted by God
Day 1: Understanding Unconditional Election
Bible Reading: Romans 9:6-8
Devotional: Begin by reading Romans 9:6-8, focusing on the principle of election as outlined by Apostle Paul. This doctrine can be difficult to understand, but it's crucial in comprehending God's sovereignty and His unconditional love for us. The sermon we listened to emphasized that our salvation doesn't depend on our works or merits, but solely on God's mercy. Today, let's meditate on this divine grace and express gratitude for His unconditional love.
September 17 Sermon: Adopted by God
One of the most powerful images of salvation in Christ is the idea of being adopted into the family of God. Now, this is an idea that comes through in many parts of Scripture, but it is primarily something that we see in the writings of Paul in the New Testament this idea of adoption, and we can see the ramifications of this concept, because we can observe adoption in the world around us and, as a covenant community, as the people gathered here, we have seen this ourselves in recent memory. We have two children who were baptized into the covenant family of this congregation within very recent memory, and we witness firsthand what adoption means, and it is a picture of what God does for you and I. In the Gospel, children who did not have parents are chosen to be brought into a family. They are brought into the family and they are not second-class members of that family. They are children who are not only legally part of the family, but they're loved, they're cherished, and they also have all the benefits of being in that family.
Creeds, Reubens, and the Faith Once for All Delivered to the Saints
I like Reuben sandwiches. In fact, I am on a quest to find the perfect one. So far, the best one I have ever had is at Valois in Hyde Park near the University of Chicago. If you are ever on Chicago's South Side, I recommend you make trying one a priority.
The problem with enjoying a Reuben is that it is not the type of thing you go the refrigerator and make for yourself. I also cannot walk up to the sandwich line at our local grocery store to enjoy my favorite sandwich. It is something I am rarely able to enjoy.
Devotions: Fallen Humanity
Day 1:
Reading: Genesis 2:15-17; Genesis 3:1-15
Devotional: Today we begin our journey with the first sin, the fall of man. We see how the first humans disobeyed God and brought sin into the world. However, in Genesis 3:15, we also see God's promise of a Savior. How does this promise impact your understanding of God's love and mercy, even in the midst of our rebellion?
September 10 Sermon: Fallen Humanity
If I were to ask you to make a list of some of the most recognizable and well known songs it is likely that has you drill down your list, the song Amazing Grace might make it in the top five. It is a tune that is used and recognized even in contexts outside the church. You’ve probably seen a movie that used the tune in a funeral scene. In fact, I thought of two films right off the top of my head and they both used bagpipes, and, as soon as i thought of them the images of the films were brought to mind. Many people who have rarely darkened the door of a church even know the song. Most people know the tune and many of the words. It’s one of those hymns that if the lights went out we could probably finish it.