Category Archives: Christian Life

Catachesis: an overview

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In advocating a return to catachesis, J.I. Packer and Gary A. Parrett offer a definition, a set of distinctions, and an overview:

Definition

‘Catechesis is the church’s ministry of grounding and growing God’s people in the Gospel and its implications for doctrine, devotion, duty, and delight.’

Distinctions

  1. ‘Procatechesis (or protocatechesis): This refers to catechizing those whom many contemporary church leaders would call “seekers” and whom the ancients might have called “inquirers.”
  2. ‘Catechesis proper: This refers to the formal catechetical work of preparing children or adult converts for baptism or confirmation—that is, for their full inclusion in the life of the church.
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Biblical summaries of the gospel

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As J.I. Packer and Gary A. Parrett remark:

The glorious Gospel is immeasurable in its depths and implications, yet it can be quite simply summarized. Here are just a few of the many examples of biblical summaries of the Gospel:

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5).

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

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Why we do good works

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If ‘doing good’ does not equate to ‘preaching the gospel without words’ (for the gospel cannot be preached without words!), why is it imperative that God’s people should be ‘eager to do good’ (Tit 2:14)?  Why must we ‘not grow weary in doing good’ (Gal 6:9)?

1. Because we love God, and want to be obedient to his command to do good

‘By this we know that we love the children of God: whenever we love God and obey his commandments.…

‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Lev 19:9-18)

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The importance of this command is underscored by our Lord himself (Mt 22:39; Mk 12:31), along with Paul (Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14) and James (Jas 2:8).

Love for neighbour is presented in Leviticus 19 as highly practical, and covers five areas of everyday life.

1. Loving others with our possessions, Lev 19:9-11.

The practice of gleaning requires not only generosity on the part of the landowner but industry on the part of the poor.  But,

‘The main lesson to be learned is that God’s people are to be generous.

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Christ has dealt with the guilt, power, and presence of sin

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1. The guilt of sin. This is justification, ‘the very hinge and pillar of Christianity’, (Thomas Watson).

John Stott has said, ‘Nobody understands Christianity who does not understand…the word “justified”.’

Spurgeon tells the story of a man who was so constantly in debt and continually being arrested by the police, that once, when going by a fence, having caught his sleeve on one of the rails, he turned around and said, “I don’t owe you anything sir.”…

The example of Christ

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I have been struck by the way in which some some of the classic Bible passages about Christ’s atonement are linked to his example.

To be sure, we cannot follow our Saviour in atoning for our sins or for anyone else’s.

But we can follow him,

  1. in generous forgiveness.  Eph 4:32 – ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’
  2. in putting others’ needs above our own.
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Train a child in the way that he should go

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According to this article in Christian Today, half of American Christians think that casual sex is ‘sometimes or always’ morally acceptable.

More than half of American white evangelicals say that cohabitation is acceptable if the couple plan to marry.  And almost half of evangelical Protestants aged 15-22 who were not currently cohabiting or married said they would probably or definitely cohabit in the future.  (But Christian commitment did make a big difference: those young people who attended church at least twice a month were least likely to approve of cohabitation).…

Psa 16 – The secret of happiness (sermon notes)

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Text: Psalm 16

Today (11th April, 2021) is a time of thankfulness (for the life of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh), and of hopefulness (as Covid restrictions are further eased tomorrow).

But what about happiness?  Has anyone ever discovered, or will anyone ever discover, the secret of real and lasting happiness?

I want to introduce you to someone who has discovered the secret of happiness.

Happy, though in danger, v1

v1 – ‘Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.’…

The joy of Jesus Christ

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Jesus Christ’s joy originates in God

From his intimate relationship with his Father and the Spirit Lk 10:21 pp Mt 11:25-26 See also Isa 11:2-3; Mt 3:16-17 pp Mk 1:10-11 pp Lk 3:22; Mt 12:18; Isa 42:1; Ac 2:28; Ps 16:11

From his awareness of God’s purposes Heb 12:2 See also Jn 8:29

Jesus Christ’s coming brings great joy

His birth Lk 2:10-11 See also Mt 2:10; Lk 1:44; 2:20,28-32

His resurrection and ascension Jn 16:20-22 See also Mt 28:8-9; Lk 24:40-41,50-53; Jn 20:20

Jesus Christ gives joy to his people

He brings joy to his disciples Jn 17:13 See also Isa 61:1-3; Jn 15:11; Ro 12:12; Php 1:26

Being in his presence is likened to the joy of a wedding Mt 22:1-10 See also Mt 9:14-15 pp Mk 2:18-19 pp Lk 5:33-34; Mt 25:1-10; Jn 3:29; Rev 19:7,9

To know Jesus Christ brings great joy to others Lk 15:7 See also Mt 8:11; Lk 15:10,22-24,31-32; Jn 8:56

(Dictionary of Bible Themes, Martin Manser)…

Ryle on encouragements to prayer

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God has provided us with powerful encouragements to prayer (writes J.C. Ryle in Practical Religion).

I summarise.

  1. We have a way opened up for us by Jesus Christ.  ‘The name of Jesus is a never-failing passport to our prayers. In that name a man may draw near to God with boldness, and ask with confidence. God has engaged to hear him.’
  2. We have an advocate and intercessor presenting out prayers to the throne of grace. 
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