The Doctrines of Grace - Introduction Continued

Ok, in my last post I left off inviting folks to join our study of the Doctrines of Grace at Turning Point Community Church in Palm Coast, Florida. I also spent time giving credit where credit was due and telling folks how they can get in touch with me if they decide they'd like a copy of our materials.

Also, I'd like to reiterate what I said yesterday and that is, what I'm writing here is in no way meant to be an in depth study of these doctrines. The notes presented here are merely an overview of what Pastor David taught us the night before. Primarily for anyone who may have missed class and would like to get a basic understanding of what we studied so they can be prepared for next weeks class.

That being said, tonight I'd like to jump right into what we studied Wednesday night.

First we started off with a brief definition: What are the Doctrines of Grace?

"These doctrines are those truths, set forth in Scripture, which express the fact that the salvation of sinners is an act of God alone."

We also learned that the Doctrines of Grace, also known as Calvinism contain 5 basic tenets known best by the acrostic TULIP.

T - Total Depravity
U - Unconditional Election
L - Limited Atonement
I - Irresistible Grace
P - Perseverance of the Saints

Next we looked at "Why are the Doctrines of Grace" important? And Pastor David said, the number one reason is because they are Biblical!!
Another reason and I can attest to this one first hand, is the fact that "they kill all forms of pride and arrogance in the heart of man towards meriting God's favor."

-This is so true. When I first learned these doctrines at Riverbend, I felt like I had been saved all over again. There is an amazing sense of deep love from the Father to his children. When you come to realize that you stand before God completely bankrupt and that all you have to offer Him is your wretched, sinful self it really opens your eyes to how deep and powerful the love, grace and mercy of God really is.

My prayer for everyone is that God would open all our hearts and minds to the truth of His word. I sincerely believe that these Doctrines of Grace are what the Apostle Paul meant when he spoke about the meat of the Word.

Pastor David then went on to explain the Dangers of teaching these doctrines. How all doctrines are dangerous if they are misrepresented. He talked about how we have to have a fine balance between two theological truths: God's Sovereignty and man's responsibility. We also learned that misunderstanding these doctrines can lead to pride and elitism, but humility and love when properly understood.

Also, Pastor David said, the teaching of these doctrines in the context of present-day theological illiteracy may cause division within the local church. Why? Below are a few reasons:

1) These doctrines go against the Carnal Mind. 1Cor 2:14 - "The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

2) These doctrines Undermine human pride and superiority. 1Cor 1:27-31 - "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, 'let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'"

- Do you notice in this passage who it is that does the choosing?

3) These doctrines rob man of his sense of Being in Control. Isa. 46:9-10 - "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

And the Bible also declares, Prov 16:9 - "A man's heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps."

Interesting. Who's counsel? Who's purpose? Who directs man's steps? If you answered God you are correct. - So who's in Control? Leaves little room for man and his pride and thinking that he's in control of his life.

4) These doctrines destroy our concept of God's Fairness. Rom 9:14-16 - "What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!! For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."

You know, today we think that God is unfair when he cast's unrepentant people into hell. But one needs to think about it for a minute. If 6 people die and 3 go to Heaven and 3 go to hell, which ones got what they did not deserve?

Answer: the 3 that went to Heaven. - They didn't get there because they were good enough, or smart enough. They got there by the grace and mercy of God alone. Because He chose to save them out of the pit of their iniquity.

Here's an observation made by both Pastor David and Pastor Roy: "Angry reaction to these doctrines is much more prevalent among 'church people' than those who have very little or no previous knowledge of Biblical doctrine."

So that was about it for our introduction. Pastor David then had a Q&A time and we ended with prayer.

Your reading assignment for this week is to read the first 7 chapters of the Journey in Grace book. Don't worry, each chapter is very short. Most are only 3-4 pages.

This weeks Memory Verse: 1Pet 2:9 - "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Until next time, may God bless you and your family richly. : )

Rob