Dispensationalisms

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Although it is quite usual to treat dispensationalism as a single ‘ism’ (I tend to do this myself), there are, in fact, several types that overlap in part, but which have significant differences too.

Here’s an attempt to distinguish between them.

1. Dispensationalism before Darby (??).

Dispensationalism is usually traced back to J.N. Darby (1800-1882).  However, William C. Watson has attempted to make out a case that dispensationalism pre-dates Darby and could be found in the 17th and 18th centuries.…

Israel and church in dispensational teaching

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Foundational to dispensationalist teaching is the idea that Israel and the church are two distinct entities.

L.S. Chafer wrote:

‘God is pursuing two distinct purposes: one related to the earth with earthly people and earthly objectives involved which is Judaism; while the other is related to heaven with heavenly people and heavenly objectives involved, which is Christianity.’

Ryrie concurs:

‘A dispensationalist keeps Israel and the church distinct…This is probably the most basic theological test of whether or not a person is a dispensationalist.

…

John 1:18 – The invisible God revealed (sermon notes)

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Jn 1:18  ‘No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.’

The Prologue – a unique part of Scripture.  Here we are introduced to one who is called ‘the Word’, and whose true character is gradually unfolded.  We are taught that this Word is eternal, personal, divine, creative, life-giving, revealing, and (wonder of wonders!) incarnate.

This verse forms the conclusion and climax of the whole prologue. …

Matthew 28:16-20 – “Go, make disciples, baptise, teach” (sermon notes)

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Mt 28:16-20  The Great Commission

Go to all nations (including our own; beginning where we are). “In Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” A girl returning home from Sunday School expressed disappointment with the classes’ reaction after the day’s lesson. “We were taught to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations,” she said, “but we just sat.” Jesus says, “Go.”

Make – a fuss, a mess, mistakes, faces, chocolate disappear.…

Numbers 13-14 – So near, and yet so far! (sermon notes)

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[Notes of a sermon preached in July, 2020]

So near, and yet so far!

Have you ever been on the brink of a major decision in your life, and then not gone through with it?  Have you ever wondered:

  • What if I had gone to that college or university?
  • What if I had taken that job?
  • What if I had married that person?

In Numbers chapters 13 and 14 we find God’s people, the Israelites, on the threshold of the Promised Land. …

Psalm 8 – What are we? (sermon notes)

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[Notes of a sermon preached at Holy Trinity Norwich, June, 2019]

Chemical composition

Evolutionary development

The only animal that blushes – or needs to

A speck of dust in a vast universe?

vv1,9 – Made to worship – wrapped in praise – addressed entirely to God – no petitions – we discover who we are, not by looking inwards, but by looking upwards.

vv3f – Made to wonder – not, ‘What man?’ but ‘What is man, that God, the Creator of this vast universe, should care about us?’ …

Romans 4 – Radical faith (sermon notes)

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[Notes of a sermon preached at Holy Trinity Norwich in March, 2015]

There is much interest in ‘radical’ religion these days.  But what does radical Christianity look like?

Previously (3:21-31): humanity’s perilous plight – ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’, v23; God’s drastic solution, v24f – ‘God presented Christ Jesus as sacrifice of atonement’; and the means by which we experience this: v28 – ’a person is justified by faith apart from observing the law.’…

Ruth 2 – Grace, given and received (sermon notes)

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[Notes of a sermon preached in April, 2018]

‘As it turned out’ (v3) becomes a story of God’s grace, given and received.

1. Grace given by Boaz, who has

(a) unique integrity

This is seen from his first words to his last, from his first action to his last.  From Judges 17 on, the only man with real integrity.

(b) God’s heart for the stranger

v5 – “Whose young woman is that?”  v12 – “the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take shelter.”…

1 Samuel 3 – God’s word in action (sermon notes)

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[Notes of a sermon preached in June, 2004]

What’s in a word?  “Stick & stones” – “Careless talk costs lives” – “Guilty or not guilty?” – “I do”

When that word is God’s…  “God said…” – “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – “Out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword” (Rev)

We see God’s word in action in this passage.  Verse 1 – ‘In those days the word of the Lord was rare.’ …

1 Peter 5:1-11 – Keep going (sermon notes)

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[Notes of a sermon preached at Holy Trinity Norwich in August 2017.]

Christian faith under pressure.

Over 200 million Christians are experiencing serious persecution in more than 50 different countries.  ‘In Nigeria, Christian girls are being abducted and impregnated by Boko Haram. In Egypt, extremists are paying men to abduct women, force them into marriage and convert them to Islam. And in Pakistan, women are being kidnapped, raped and forced to change their religion.’ (Evangelicals Now).…