On Biblical Doctrine Series

Dakota Community Church

September 27, 2009

The Field & the Force 7

The Force at Rest – (Part 3)

So far we have looked at:

1. When the Church is the field

When the church is the field it is seen as the place people come to do the work of God.

2. When the Church is the (labor) force

When the church becomes the force – the world becomes the field.

3. When and where is the gospel to be proclaimed?

The gospel is to be proclaimed everywhere and in every way!

4. In what ways is the force mobilized?

Just how do we get out there and work in the field?

5. What is the role of pastors and elders?

Should we even have pastors and elders?

6. How do I find my place in the field?

7. The force at rest.

Let’s go to the word of God:

A. By God’s design and the laws decree there is a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

B. Fallen man is so broken we cannot even rest without a savior.

Romans 3:19-20

19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

Most of the time when Jesus encounters questions about the law He turns the heat up.

Why the Bible? The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writing that we can use to glean insight for better living; the Bible is the inspired word of God!

If the Bible is not the standard – what is? Subjective human feelings.

“Well I know the Bible says that but let me just tell you what I believe.” – What comes next is error is almost guaranteed to be some sort of heretical error.

Why Doctrine? For years I tried to avoid any talk of doctrine; that is just putting God in a box. We don’t put God in a box, He’s God. God does however put us in a box, He calls it a sheepfold and declares that He is the only way in or out of it!

The word doctrine simply means “teaching” so either you believe Biblical doctrine or you believe some other extra Biblical doctrine.

Biblical doctrine says that no one will be saved by keeping the law, by doing good works, if you believe that all good people will get to heaven because God could never condemn someone who had good intentions then you have left the realm of Biblical doctrine.

What if I go home tonight and start singing “Brown Eyed Girl” to express my love to Kathy. If I gaze into her face and say “Oh how I love you, you the best part of being me, I love your brown eyes and your long black hair.” Will Kathy accept this expression of love? NO – Kathy has BLUE EYES and reddish brown hair. But we want to do this to God.

Romans 9:1 – 10:13

1I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised![a] Amen.

6It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."[b] 8In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."[c]

10Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. 11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."[d] 13Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."[e]

14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15For he says to Moses,