12. Lord's Day
Q. 31. Why is he called "Christ,” meaning “anointed”?
A. Because he has been ordained by God the Father and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher who perfectly reveals to us the secret counsel and will of God for our deliverance; our only high priest who has set us free by the one sacrifice of His body, and who continually pleads our cause with the Father; and our eternal king who governs us by His Word and Spirit, and who guards us and keeps us in the freedom He has won for us.
Q. 32. But why are you called a Christian?
A. Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in His anointing. I am anointed to confess His name, to present myself to Him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a good conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for all eternity.
I love the timing of this Lord’s Day reading. I am currently at the Ligonier National Conference in Orlando, Fl where I have been blessed with the opportunity to sit under the teaching of several brilliant, godly men. One of the sessions on Thursday helped me to more fully appreciate this week’s reading in the Heidelberg. The session, delivered by Sinclair Ferguson, dealt with the following question, “Why the God-Man?” One of the passages that we looked at was Heb. 3:1-2, “Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.”
“Consider Jesus!” This is a weighty statement by itself. Two words that I am prone to quickly read over without much thought. However, it is a statement that is taken seriously in the Heidelberg Catechism. The focus on Day 11 – 19 is on the Son of God. Nine days where we are exhorted to consider Jesus. I need such exhortation, because my tendency is to consider myself rather than Jesus. Can you relate?
Read back through question 31 and consider the three offices that the Father ordained and the Spirit anointed the Son to fulfill; prophet, priest, and king. Christ is our chief prophet, our only High Priest, and our Eternal King. Question 32 then goes on to illustrate how we as Christians are called to be like Jesus. We are to “fulfill the offices of our namesake,” writes Kevin DeYoung, even if is at a “much lesser level.”
As a helpful family exercise, have your children identify from Q&A 31 how we as Christians are to “fulfill the offices of our namesake.”
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Fridays with The Heidelberg
LORD’S DAY 11
29. Q. WHY IS THE SON OF GOD CALLED “JESUS,” MEANING “SAVIOR”?
A. Because He saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere.
30. Q. DO THOSE WHO LOOK FOR THEIR SALVATION AND SECURITY IN SAINTS, IN THEMSELVES, OR ELSEWHERE REALLY BELIEVE IN THE ONLY SAVIOR JESUS?
A. No. Although they boast of being His, by their very deeds they deny the only Savior and deliverer, Jesus. Either Jesus is not a perfect Savior, or those who in true faith accept their Savior have in Him all they need for their salvation.
“God has no grandchildren.” I read this statement in Kevin DeYoung’s book, The Good News We Almost Forgot. I’m very grateful that I read that because it helped me to better understand this section. You see, when I first read questions 29 & 30, my initial response was to point fingers at the Roman Catholic Church and then feel better about myself. Point fingers because question 30 illustrates what I would see as the fundamental problem with Roman Catholic theology; an insufficient Christ.
Just as I started feeling good about my protestant evangelical background, I was reminded that “God has no grandchildren.” DeYoung’s point is that we protestants have a tendency to “boast” of being in Christ while “denying Him by our deeds.” We are prone to trusting in our own works and abilities rather than in the only sufficient Savior, Jesus Christ. Within our homes, our children can be deceived into trusting in their parent’s faith (hence the comment about grandparents) rather than personally trusting in Christ.
Use this reality as a springboard to discuss this difficult but eternally significant issue with your children. First examine yourselves, then discuss with your families the sufficiency of Christ. Point out to them mankind’s tendency to trust “in themselves”, and the futility of such efforts.
29. Q. WHY IS THE SON OF GOD CALLED “JESUS,” MEANING “SAVIOR”?
A. Because He saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere.
30. Q. DO THOSE WHO LOOK FOR THEIR SALVATION AND SECURITY IN SAINTS, IN THEMSELVES, OR ELSEWHERE REALLY BELIEVE IN THE ONLY SAVIOR JESUS?
A. No. Although they boast of being His, by their very deeds they deny the only Savior and deliverer, Jesus. Either Jesus is not a perfect Savior, or those who in true faith accept their Savior have in Him all they need for their salvation.
“God has no grandchildren.” I read this statement in Kevin DeYoung’s book, The Good News We Almost Forgot. I’m very grateful that I read that because it helped me to better understand this section. You see, when I first read questions 29 & 30, my initial response was to point fingers at the Roman Catholic Church and then feel better about myself. Point fingers because question 30 illustrates what I would see as the fundamental problem with Roman Catholic theology; an insufficient Christ.
Just as I started feeling good about my protestant evangelical background, I was reminded that “God has no grandchildren.” DeYoung’s point is that we protestants have a tendency to “boast” of being in Christ while “denying Him by our deeds.” We are prone to trusting in our own works and abilities rather than in the only sufficient Savior, Jesus Christ. Within our homes, our children can be deceived into trusting in their parent’s faith (hence the comment about grandparents) rather than personally trusting in Christ.
Use this reality as a springboard to discuss this difficult but eternally significant issue with your children. First examine yourselves, then discuss with your families the sufficiency of Christ. Point out to them mankind’s tendency to trust “in themselves”, and the futility of such efforts.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Providence of God
Yesterday's section in the Heidelberg dealt with the Providence of God. It instructed us that all creation is "upheld and governed" by God so that "all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand." Theology matters. It helps us to respond biblically in all of life's situations.
I write this follow-up post because of the devastation incurred by the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan yesterday. As our thoughts are directed towards God in these tragic events, may our prayers be fervent, as we seek to grow in compassion. I encourage you to read the following prayer from John Piper;
Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.
O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.
And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.
Have you not encouraged us in this? Have we not heard a hundred times in your Word the riches of your kindness, forbearance, and patience? Do you not a thousand times withhold your judgments, leading your rebellious world toward repentance? Yes, Lord. For your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.
Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.
May every heart-breaking loss—millions upon millions of losses—be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures' pain. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all.
In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.
Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.
And may the floods they so much dread make blessings break upon their head.
O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.
In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.
I write this follow-up post because of the devastation incurred by the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan yesterday. As our thoughts are directed towards God in these tragic events, may our prayers be fervent, as we seek to grow in compassion. I encourage you to read the following prayer from John Piper;
Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.
O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.
And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.
Have you not encouraged us in this? Have we not heard a hundred times in your Word the riches of your kindness, forbearance, and patience? Do you not a thousand times withhold your judgments, leading your rebellious world toward repentance? Yes, Lord. For your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.
Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.
May every heart-breaking loss—millions upon millions of losses—be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures' pain. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all.
In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.
Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.
And may the floods they so much dread make blessings break upon their head.
O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.
In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Fridays with the Heidelberg
The providence of God, briefly referred to in the previous question, is now the focus of today’s reading.
Lord's Day 10
Q. 27. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD?
A. The almighty and everywhere present power of God;
whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs
heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought,
fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness,
riches and poverty,
yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.
The Scriptures reveal to us that God not only created the world but He also sustains it. In other words, he has not left us on our own, He “upholds and governs” all of creation.
This is great news for the believer. The providence of God is a doctrine that produces assurance in the life of a believer.
Pointing to this reality, James Montgomery Boice said “the Christian will cease to fret in circumstances and will grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ and of his Father, who has made us and who has planned and accomplished our salvation.”
Let the following hymn by William Cowper assist you to exalt God for his Sovereign and Providential Rule in our lives;
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
Lord's Day 10
Q. 27. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD?
A. The almighty and everywhere present power of God;
whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs
heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought,
fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness,
riches and poverty,
yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.
The Scriptures reveal to us that God not only created the world but He also sustains it. In other words, he has not left us on our own, He “upholds and governs” all of creation.
This is great news for the believer. The providence of God is a doctrine that produces assurance in the life of a believer.
Pointing to this reality, James Montgomery Boice said “the Christian will cease to fret in circumstances and will grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ and of his Father, who has made us and who has planned and accomplished our salvation.”
Let the following hymn by William Cowper assist you to exalt God for his Sovereign and Providential Rule in our lives;
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Fridays with the Heidelberg
Lord’s Day 9
26. Q. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE WHEN YOU SAY, “I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH”?
A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by His eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ His Son. I trust Him so much that I do not doubt He will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and He will turn to my good whatever adversity He sends me in this sad world. He is able to do this because He is almighty God; He desires to do this because He is a faithful Father.
Creeds and Confessions are a blessing to the church. They help guard us from error. For instance, the Heidelberg’s response to the first phrase in the Apostles’ Creed provides several weighty statements that correct a variety of false teaching that, to this day, pollute the church. Here are two:
the Eternal Father – Which came first, the chicken or the egg? What about this one; who came first, The Father or the Son? The first person of the Trinity, the Father, has eternally existed as Father, because the Son, the second person of the Trinity, has eternally existed as the Son. Kevin DeYoung wrote, “there never was a time when the Father was not a father to the Son and the Son a son to the Father.”
Throughout the history of the church, numerous heresies (Arianism, Modalism, etc), have existed that deny the eternality of the Son and therefore the eternality of the Father.
Out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them – God has created all things in heaven and earth. In so doing, God created the world out of nothing. Any attempt to suggest a cooperative effort in creation between God and any evolutionary processes, denies this essential biblical conviction. Heb. 11:3, “By Faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” – ESV®
Can you think of any other false teachings that are corrected by either the question or answer in today’s reading?
26. Q. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE WHEN YOU SAY, “I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH”?
A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by His eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ His Son. I trust Him so much that I do not doubt He will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and He will turn to my good whatever adversity He sends me in this sad world. He is able to do this because He is almighty God; He desires to do this because He is a faithful Father.
Creeds and Confessions are a blessing to the church. They help guard us from error. For instance, the Heidelberg’s response to the first phrase in the Apostles’ Creed provides several weighty statements that correct a variety of false teaching that, to this day, pollute the church. Here are two:
the Eternal Father – Which came first, the chicken or the egg? What about this one; who came first, The Father or the Son? The first person of the Trinity, the Father, has eternally existed as Father, because the Son, the second person of the Trinity, has eternally existed as the Son. Kevin DeYoung wrote, “there never was a time when the Father was not a father to the Son and the Son a son to the Father.”
Throughout the history of the church, numerous heresies (Arianism, Modalism, etc), have existed that deny the eternality of the Son and therefore the eternality of the Father.
Out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them – God has created all things in heaven and earth. In so doing, God created the world out of nothing. Any attempt to suggest a cooperative effort in creation between God and any evolutionary processes, denies this essential biblical conviction. Heb. 11:3, “By Faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” – ESV®
Can you think of any other false teachings that are corrected by either the question or answer in today’s reading?
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