ECTF III.24 Covenant of Works

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul

(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part III. The Works and Decress of God ~ 24. COVENANT OF WORKS.

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

Genesis 2:17; Romans 3:20-26;; Romans 10:5-13; Galatians 3:10-14;

Summary:

1. God entered into a covenant of works with Adam and Eve.

2. All humans are inescapably related to God’s covenant of works.

3. All human beings are violators of the covenant of works.

4. Jesus fulfilled the covenant of works.

5. The covenant of grace provides us with the merits of Christ by which the terms of the covenant of works are satisfied.

Additional Link to All the Audio:

http://bit.ly/9jw9aQ

Last updated: 2018-03-22 21:16

ETCF III.23 Covenant

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul

(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part III. The Works and Decress of God ~ 23. Covenant

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

Genesis 15; Exodus 20; Jeremiah 31.31-34; Luke 22.20; Hebrews 08; Hebrews 13.20-21;

Summary:

Elements of a covenant:

1. Preamble: identifies the sovereign.
2. Historical prologue: rehearses the history of the relationship between the parties.
3. Stipulations outline the terms of the convenant.
4. Oaths/Vows: the promises that bind the parties to the terms.
5. Sanctions: the blessings and curses (rewards and punishments) to be enacted for keeping or breaking the covenant.
6. Ratification: the sealing of the convenant by blood, i.e., animal sacrifice or the death of Christ.
   

Another Link to All the Audio(.wpl):
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GoogleBooks ~ Search ~ "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith ~ The prophets of the Old Testament were persons uniquely called of God

ETCF.006.THE_PROPHETS_OF_GOD.00a.mp3(secure file)



Last Updated: 2008-03-21 12:37

ECTF III.22 The Will of God

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul

(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part III. The Works and Decress of God ~ 22. The Will of God.

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

John 19.11; Romans 09.14-18; Ephesians 01.11; Colossians 01.09-14; Hebrews 06.13-18; 2Peter 03.09;

Summary:

1. The three meanings of he will of God:
   (a) Sovereign decretive will is the will by which God brings to pass whatsoever He decrees. This is hidden to us until it happens.
   (b) Preceptive will is God's reveled law or commandments, which we have the power but not the right to break.
   (c) Will of disposition describes God's attitude or disposition. It reveals what is pleasing to Him.
   
2. God's sovereign "permission" of human sin is not His moral approval.
   

Another Link to All the Audio(.wpl):
http://bit.ly/b1Jxzy


Personal(Michael.T.Bee) Reflections:

Example of 1a: "...you meant it for evil...God meant it for good" Genesis 50.20 (Joseph's troubles)
Example of 1b: "...Thou shalt not steal." Exodus 20.15
Example of 1c: "...God's not willing any should perish..." 2Peter 03.09 ...but some/many will)

Last Updated: 2008-03-21 12:04

ETCF III.21 Miracles

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul

(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part III. The Works and Decress of God ~ 21 Miracles.

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

Exodus 04.01-09; 1Kings 17.21-24; John 02.11; Hebrews 02.01-04;

Summary:

1. The Bible speaks of signs, powers, and wonders.
   
2. The Bible records different types of miracles.
3. All miracles are supernatural events, but not all supernatural events are miracles.
   

Additional Link to All the Audio(.wpl):
http://bit.ly/bRls5K

Personal(Michael.T.Bee) Reflections:

The purpose of miracles appears to be to confirm:
-God's prophet(s)
-Jesus

Last updated: 2008-03-21 12:20

ETCF III.20 Providence

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul

(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part III. The Works and Decress of God ~ 20 Providence.

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

Job 38.1-41.34; Daniel 04.34-35; Acts 02.22-24; Romans 11.33-36;

Summary:

1. The concept of divine providence is not generally believed in our day.
   
2. Providence includes God's work of sustaining His creation.
   
3. Providence refers chiefly to God's government of creation.
4. In light of divine providence there are no impersonal forces such as fortune, fate or chance.
5. Providence includes concurrence by which God works his divine will through the wills of His creatures

Another Link to All the Audio(.wpl):
http://bit.ly/cODaLr


Personal(Michael.T.Bee) Reflections:

I love the example Sprould cites for concurrence:
Genesis 50.20

I love to his contrast of the impersonal with the personal:

"...the key to this difference is found in
the personal character of God.
Fortune is blind while God is all-seeing.
Fate is impersonal while God is a Father.
Luck is dumb while God can speak. There
are no blind, impersonal forces at work in
human history. All is brought to pass by
the invisible hand of Providence."

Last updated: 2010-03-07 08:54

ETCF III.19 Creation

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul

(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part III. The Works and Decress of God ~ 19. Creation

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

Genesis 01; Psalm 33.01-09; Psalm 104.24-26; Jeremiah 10.01-16; Hebrews 11.03;

Summary:

1. Everything in time and space has a beginning.
   
2. Something cannot come from nothing. Nothing cannot do anything.
   
3. If ever there was nothing then nothing could exist now.
4. Something exists now; therefore something must exist that has no beginning.
5. Things cannot create themselves because they would have to be before they are.
6. If some "part"of the universe is uncreated, then it is superior or transcendent to the parts that have a beginning.
7. An uncreated being is supreme(a higher order of being than created beings), regrdless of where it lives.
8. Transcendence refers to a level of being, not to geography.
   

Another Link to all the audio(.wpl):
http://bit.ly/djLPdN

My Reflections:
I think I have to read this a couple times more--the logic flows;but, the idea of transcendence is hard for my mind to comprehend.

Last updated: 2010-03-07 08:50