Calvin's Institutes Lesson 3 Book 1 Ch 6-9 The Need For Scripture

For the recorded audio of Lesson 3 click here.

For the notes of Lesson 3 click here.

Blind Eyes and Hard Hearts

The Spirit alone opens the eyes and softens the hearts. In an unregenerate state, man will always grasp for the realm of the absurd to substantiate reality, yet his concsience bears witness that God alone can do this. The latter is hard to accept in an unregenerate state because it requires submission, the very thing the hard heart detests.

Therefore, let us rejoice when anyone comes to know the Lord! It is truly impossible without the work of the Spirit regenerating the heart (John 3). With this in mind, as beleivers let us not become bitter cynics when our circumstances become difficult, for freedom in Christ will always surpass the trials we face in this life.

To Him be the glory! Amen!

A Culture of Dependence

Due to the push of evolutionary marxism and its adopoted variations, most of the world has ushered in an era of dependence upon the state in an effort to create a utopia. One of the chief goals of this utopia is to end poverty. However, the track record is dismal and its outlook is bleak. The Soviet Union is one of the greatest failures within this worldview as it bankrupted itself. Why does world poverty continue to rise in spite of a century's effort to end poverty through the means of the state?

The answer is a simple theological one: The Doctrine of Original Sin. Man is born into sin, so he is naturally lazy and prone to idleness if given the opportunity and the means. For this reason, if someone is taken care of by someone else with minimal input themselves, they are inclined to take advantage of this more and more with each passing day until one party works while the other party does nothing. Eventually, the working party becomes exhasted in his labor and opts to do the same thing as he depends on someone else. Now one has two parties in idleness with a third party supporting both. Multiply this many times over, and one has a socialist state run amock very quickly where very few have any desire to produce anything of value, for all incentive and advocacy to work has ceased.

A popular straw man against personal responsibility is always regarding the aid of the orphan, widow, elderly, physically disabled, mentally ill, etc. This is where private charity steps in, of which the Church is commanded to be the chief. In a nation like America, if one honestly seeks help from a private organization like the Church, very few are turned down. That may mean that one lives in conditions that are sufficient but not luxurious, yet we ought not be envious when some are more blessed financially than others, for many of those same persons give much in support those in need. God gives to whom He wills and takes as He wills, even among those who work hard and are diligent in the labor. Job is case in point, yet God did not forsake Job as he rests in the arms of God for all eternity by His grace.

Sadly, personal responsibility has been on the decline in the world, even in areas that were once somewhat Biblical in their thinking. Nonetheless, as Christians, we must continue to take responsibility for our fiscal actions, for even high taxation does not give us the right to become lazy in our work and irresponsible in our spending. We testify to Someone greater than ourselves, Christ our Lord

Therefore, trust in the Lord and do as He commands with your finances, yet when one opposes
where Caeser spends his money, we must still submit and render to Caesar what is Caesar's, for our witness is to Him Who is greater than ourselves.

Glory to Him who anoints even a Caesar for a season to conduct His will in His time for His good pleasure to make His point to His glory! Amen!

Calvin's Institutes Lesson 2 Book 1 Ch 1-5 Knowledge of God and Ourselves

If you would like to listen to Lesson 2 on Calvin's Institutes Book 1 Ch1-5 Knowledge of God and of Ourselves click here.

For the notes click here.

Grace and Mercy Alone

In the midst of a great scare today, we were reminded how each moment is lived at the grace and mercy of God. When Moriah squirmed through the ballasters in our hallway and then summersaulted several times down the stairwell, death stared us in the face. We immediately called 911, and she was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Verily, the Lord was merciful and altogehther gracious, for she wasn't knocked out, and no major injuries were diagnosed at the hospital.

Therefore, let us be thankful for each day we have with our families and other loved ones, for it could be our last. Nonetheless, we who are in Christ do not weep as those without hope when death comes, for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. To Him be the glory alone! Amen!

Lesson 1 Intro to the Institutes and Calvin Bio

I invite you to listen to Lesson 1 Intro to the Institutes and a brief John Calvin bio. You may have to increase volume on this one. Click here.

For the notes click here.

Happy New Year 2010!

Let us gaze upon Christ all the more this year as we seek to know Him with increasing vigor each day. May we desire to be holy as He is holy, lest we drift into the sinful pleasures residing in Egypt.

His elect are kept by His grace, and they were chosen to glorify Him in both word and deed. Let us therefore speak and conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel this new year.

To Him be the glory! Amen!