Truth Matters (Page 2)

In his 2003 book, City On A Hill, Leland Ryken described the condition of our culture as a “new barbarianism” characterized by relativism and narcissism. These two ideas are inseparable. A society rejects the very idea of truth (relativism) with disastrous results. Then, in a world void of absolute truth, every person does “what is right in his own eyes” (narcissism, cf. Judges 21:25). As churches uncritically embrace the culture, the new barbarianism seeps in and begins to metastasize.

This sermon series speaks to this situation. “Truth Matters” has a double meaning. It can refer to a series of truth-topics, such as the 32 articles of The Baptist Confession of Faith (these are the subjects of our new sermon series). Or, it can declare that truth is significant. Indeed, we believe that nothing matters more than truth.

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1, All for the Glory of God

Article twenty-one in the Baptist Confession of Faith addresses the subject of Christian liberty. The gospel sets the believer free from the Law and neither church nor government has the authority to bind the believer to the Law again. This article is a warning against legalism. Unlike the historical setting in which it was written,…

James 1:16-18, The Gospel: God’s Goodness Made Public

The subject of the twentieth chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith is “The Gospel.” Other chapters also address gospel themes such as Christ the Mediator, Justification, Repentance unto Life and Salvation, etc. But the unique emphasis in the current chapter is the relationship between the gospel and special revelation, that is, the Bible. God…

Romans 3:19-20, Christians and the Law of God

August 13, 2023
Steven Thomas
Law, Law of God
Romans

The nineteenth chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith addresses the topic, “The Law of God.” It is a controversial topic that draws out a variety of opinions. Some say that Christians are still bound by the Law of Moses (at least in part) that God gave to Israel. Others argue that since Christ fulfilled…

1 John 5:13, Assurance—A Grace Too Often Misunderstood

August 6, 2023
Steven Thomas
Assurance
1 John

We saw in chapter seventeen of the Baptist Confession of Faith that a persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark of genuine faith. The eighteenth chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith explains a correlative truth, the Christian doctrine of assurance of salvation. Perseverance does not undermine the certainty of our salvation but contributes…

2 Peter 1:3-12,The Responsibilities of Perseverance

Chapter 17 of the Baptist Confession of Faith addresses the subject of “The Perseverance of the Saints.” The Scriptures clearly teach this doctrine, but many misunderstand it. Some even deny it, opting instead for a doctrine called “the preservation of the saints.” But, as the sermon this Lord’s Day will show, these two ideas are…

James 2:14-19, Living Faith

July 16, 2023
Steven Thomas
Good Works
James

The sixteenth chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith deals with the topic, “Good Works.” While the Scriptures are clear that good works do not secure our salvation, they are equally clear that good works are identifying characteristics of those who believe.

1 John 1:10-2:2, Christ, Our Advocate

Chapter 15 of the Baptist Confession of Faith focuses our attention on the theme, “Repentance unto Life and Salvation.” We who were spiritually dead received spiritual life through repentant faith in Christ. That is the beginning of the Christian life. But Christians still struggle against the vestiges of the old nature. Christ, our Advocate, graciously…

Ephesians 2:8, Understanding Saving Faith

Chapter 14 of the Baptist Confession of Faith deals with “Saving Faith.” On May 28th we worked through Ephesians 2:1-10 to understand the effect that sin has on the human will. Verse 8 of that passage explains that salvation is by grace through faith. In that sermon, we devoted only 2-3 minutes to the subject…

1 Peter 2:4-10, Holiness: A Family Pursuit

Chapter 13 in the Baptist Confession of Faith explains the Bible’s teaching on sanctification or, the Christian’s pursuit of holiness. The confession strongly and correctly makes the point that salvation in Christ always sets in motion the transforming process by which Christians become come more and more holy. The sermon and the service this Lord’s…

Romans 8:12-17, Adopted by God the Father

June 18, 2023
Steven Thomas
Adoption
Romans

The twelfth article of the Baptist Confession of Faith focuses on God’s gracious work of adoption. This topic seldom receives the attention it deserves in the preaching and teaching of the churches. That is, perhaps, because it is seldom mentioned by name in the Bible, but the concept appears often. We will explore this important…