Restoration is a network of house churches.
We make disciples, gather together, and
equip people to minister.
All tagged Christianity
The doctrine of the atonement is central to the Gospel. Jesus paid our sin debt, restoring us back to God. This doctrine has been under attack from liberals and “progressives” for years. However, the truth of the Gospel as it relates to Christ’s substitutionary atonement stands strong. In this sermon, we address several key passages to define the doctrine and understand how it relates to our salvation and to our evangelism efforts.
Last time we learned how God created us in His image for His glory. This has profound implications for the sanctity of human life, for Who owns us (God), and for how we are to treat one another. However, as we mentioned last time, mankind has sinned and separated ourselves from God. The effects of sin on humanity are severe. While we are still created in God’s image, we are fallen. Humans are bent toward evil, hating God and one another, deserving of God’s wrath. Yet, God has made a way for salvation in Christ Jesus through his atoning death and resurrection. Further, God is forming us into His image! As you can imagine, this has profound effects on the image of God for good! We will be in Romans 5:12-21 primarily as we look at the effects of the first Adam and the Last Adam (Christ).
Weeks ago, I started prepping for a First Sunday sermon series on biblical anthropology. At the time I was primarily concerned with research showing that evangelicals do not hold to key beliefs about humanity being created in the image of God. Things like human sinfulness, issues of gender, and marriage roles all come together in the biblical understanding of humans being created in the image of God.
The events of recent weeks make the study all the more critical. I have been grieved to see godless men and women deny the authority of Scripture and then try to argue for what justice is as it relates to the the dignity of human beings in the futile manner we have seen. This past week is a good example of how apart from God, people will not value their fellow image bearers. Further, it is clear that apart from God's Word, there is no standard for human dignity.
So, I'm all the more eager to enter into our study of God's Word as it relates to humanity, our sinful state, and need for Christ's saving work.
Continuing our Series on The Attributes of God, Pastor Dan teaches on the Aseity and Immutability of God, providing clarification and understanding on what both terms mean as God has revealed Himself. God is unchanging and is the source of all life. He has no need for counsel or sustenance from any other being as He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe! For a more detailed study, sign up for Underground Seminary at https://undergroundseminary.net/.
In this sermon Pastor Dan teaches on salvation by Grace Alone (Not Merit). Contrary to the Roman Catholic Council of Trent that teaches the need for meritorious works along with grace as well as the self-valuing merit taught by the Word Faith movement, Salvation is by Grace alone. As we discuss this topic in Ephesians 2 and other passages, we turn the focus on God’s glory for HIs mercy and grace in moving us from death into life in Christ.
This Resurrection Sunday, we gathered at Nordson Depot to worship Christ and celebrate His Resurrection. Pastor Dan taught from John 20, but not before establishing the context for the resurrection by addressing the Grand Narrative (Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration). We discussed the need for atonement, what Christ did on the cross, and then discussed how the disciples (most specifically, Thomas came to believe as Jesus revealed Himself!
Pastor Daniel Samms teaches on the authority of Scripture as the primary authority for Christians. Addressing the biblical concepts of Scripture as God-Breathed (theopneustos) and sufficient, we point out that there is no need for further revelation (contra New Apostolic Reformation) and note that our experience, emotion, opinions, etc. must bow to the authority of Scripture (not the other way around). In the process, we address the centrality of Christ and His redeeming work as being the focus of Scripture (Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration). Notably, if there were to be “new revelation” (there isn’t), it should have the same focus. Sadly, all that is elevated as authoritative outside of the Word of God turns out to focus much more on man than on Christ, a telling reality to the false teachers of our day. In the process of teaching we affirm the verbal, plenary inspiration of Scripture as we teach from 2 Timothy 3 and 2 Peter 1.
