Introduction
Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42 says “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”(ESV)
What is the apostles’ teaching? Is it the “practical application” of the Word to our lives? Is the message that man can save himself? Or is it something else? The Bible and history, I would argue, show that the apostles’ teaching is so much more than the “pop psychology” that passes for much of Christianity today. No, the apostles’ teaching is the “meat” of the Bible. It has been summarized in creeds, such as the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.
My goal is to let the words of scripture speak for themselves as we focus on grace and really look at what the Bible (God) says.
The Bible
- 66 Books
- 1,500 + years
- 40 + authors
- 1 Story
Story Ark of the Bible
- Creation
- Fall
- Redemption
- Restoration
What is the Gospel?
Central to the apostles’ teaching and central to the Gospel is salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Supremacy of Christ
Salvation is of the Lord. Jonah 2:9
- Christ is Supreme over EVERYTHING
- CENTRALITY of the CROSS in the Christian Life. Keeping the Main Thing, the main thing.
- I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV) in light of the Pew Survey…
A major survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that most Americans have a non-dogmatic approach to faith. A strong majority of those who are affiliated with a religion, including majorities of nearly every religious tradition, do not believe their religion is the only way to salvation.
- Our evangelism must focus on the GOSPEL. The Western World is now a Mission Field. All theology must be an exposition of the Gospel.
We will also listen to songs and videos that relate to the subject at hand. Derek Webb’s song Awake My Soul will be our theme song throughout this study.
- Suggested Resources:
- Putting Amazing Back into Grace by Michael Horton
- The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel The Main Thing/a>
- The Hope online video
- The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel The Main Thing by CJ Mahaney
- The Supremacy of Christ and the Gospel in a Postmodern World by Tim Keller
- Using Chronological Teaching – EffectiveEvangelism.com
- Music:
- She Must and Shall Go Free by Derek Webb
- Redemption Songs by Jars of Clay
- Awake My Soul by Derek Webb (iTunes)
- Creed by Rich Mullins (iTunes)
Creation
Why start with Creation? Luke 24:26-27, Hebrews 1:1-2
Our Triune God is author of Creation.
- John 1:1-5
- Colossians 1:15-16
- Genesis 1
Creation is Good
- Genesis 1:31
- 1 Chronicles 16:31-34
He shows his people in Genesis 1 how everything from the smallest to the greatest was created by the God who had redeemed them out of the Exodus. You could summarize Genesis 1 this way: “Out of the darkened chaos God sovereignly and majestically created the entire universe in six days, bringing perfect order and abundant fullness for people to enjoy and to rule, and then blessed and sanctified the seventh day, which marked the completion of creation.” [Creation and Blessing, Ross].
Man created in God’s image
- Genesis 1:26-27
- Moral Perfection (Gen 1:31, Ecclesiastes 7:29)
- Creative Perfection (Hebrews 11:3)
- Religious Perfection (Acts 17:28)
We lost perfection in the fall, but not capacity!
Creation is universal
- God created everything and even non-believers are created in the image of God (Genesis 1, Matthew 5:44-45, James 3:9).
- No one can say “I never heard” – Romans 1:14-20,
- Always dependent upon Creator – Romans 2:14-15
Meaning of Life
- Psalm 8:3-9
- Psalm 16:11
- Psalm 104:24-31
What is the chief end of man? “To glorify God and enjoy him forever” — Westminster Shorter Catechism
- Sermons:
- God Created Us for His Glory by John Piper
- The Pleasure of God in His Creation by John Piper
Benefits of Creation
We are not accidents.
- Common ground with non-Christians as a natural part of human existence. Morality. Social Justice. (Genesis 9:6)
- Work is a holy, God-honoring activity. (Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15)
- Shared world with non-Christians (what we eat, drink, watch, play, work at, create, share). God didn’t create Christian music, Christian yellow pages, etc. (Matthew 5:45)
- God is in control. (Pslam 147:4)
- Creation leaves us without excuse (Psalm 19:1).
- Resources:
- Do You See the Joy of God in the Sun? by John Piper
- The Great Work of God: Rain by John Piper
- Creation Resources at Monergism.com
- What Is Man? by John Piper
- Music:
- Indescribable by Chris Tomlin (iTunes)
- God of Wonders by Caedmon’s Call and Third Day (iTunes)
Update:I want to make one point that I don’t think I stressed. Regardless of what any person, preacher, book, author, speaker, song, video, church has said/will say on these subjects, I am held captive to God’s Word and that is what I will be leading us through.
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