An example of practical Calvinism

This was the service this evening from my church. I see a lot of back and forth on Calvinism. I have also noticed that many appear to have never heard a regular sermons from a reformed Baptist Church.

http://www.edgewoodbaptistchurch.net/sermons?sermon_id=384

This is from Galatians 2:20 and thought it was very good. Note, this is not a sermons specifically on the topic of calvinism. Rather it is an example of a typical sermons preached in a reformed church for those that may have never attended one before.

 

So why do you think that is important?

 

Well, that majority of reformed people have been in non reformed churches. I have seen a lot of people on here that seem to misunderstand what calvinism is and the practical implications of it.

 

Think we lump reformed calvinists with those like me, who are 5 pointers in DoG, but dispy just like DR MarArthur, so not all cals hold to exactly same beliefs!

You are right, that most just assume reformed...

 

Yes, this is an excellent example of the kind of sermons presented by Calvinist leaning Pastors. Galatians 2:20,"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

1) When are we crucified with Christ. Did it happen when Christ died 2000 years ago? Or when God put us spiritually in Christ, when we were baptized into His death?

2) Did Christ die for your specific sins or for the sin of the whole world which includes whatever is removed by the circumcision of Christ?

3) If we "identify with Christ", or "believe" in the person and promises of Christ, are be "born anew?" Or does God need to credit our faith as righteousness and set us apart in Christ, where we arise in Christ an new creation, born again from above?

Notice in Romans 6:6 being crucified means we are no longer slaves to sin. This puts our individual crucifixion when we are placed in Christ, because if we were crucified 2000 years ago we would not have ever been slaves to sin. Christ laid down His life as a ransom for all, not just those subsequently saved. This truth is demonstrated by the verse that says the false teacher who denied the blood of Christ had been bought.

When speaking of believing, and seeking God, and identifying with Christ, no mention was made that you will not be able unless God chose you before creation. We did not die when He died, we died when we were baptized into His death, Romans 6:3-6:8.

 

Why would God credit my faith, as he is the one that granted me the faith to start with?

The basis pf my salvation is the Cross, not "my faith"

 

Too much talk about this Calvin guy. Not enough talk about Jesus!!!:jesus::jesus::jesus:

 

:jesus:is a Calvinist.

 

He certainly was a believer in the total depravity of man- John 2:23 -

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

He taught about election- John 6:44 - No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.

He taught limited atonement- John 17:1,2 - When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him."

He taught and modeled irresistible grace in the life of Paul- Acts 9:1-6


But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

He taught the perseverance of the saints- John 10:27-30 -

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.

 

The most heretical, blasphemous thing ever said on the BB.

 

A John MacArthur sermon:Jesus was a Calvinist.

A James Boice sermon :Christ the Calvinist.

Two fine, biblically-centered men.

 

...both saying something equally blasphemous and heretical. To even joke our Lord would hold to, or even need to hold to an infallible manmade doctrine is going way to far. It is pure pride to bring Christ down to our level of understanding spiritual matters.

 

Maybe it should have been said Calvinism is biblical.

 

I agree. I think it's a darn shame that we've gotten to the point where we'll even dare define Jesus by the tenets of sinful men.

Jesus is JESUS.

 

Agree again.:thumbs:

It's the utmost of pride to even suggest it. Have we come so far from understanding what really matters that the Church is now placing Jesus in the box of Calvinism instead of making sure that that man's teachings adhere to God's word?

 

Perhaps the Church needs to just teach the word of GOD instead of ascribing any truth to the teachings of sinful men?

I don't know much about Calvinism and I don't really care to. But if his teachings are aligned with the word of God, why not just talk about God and His word instead of making much of a sinful man?

 

Because they have an inability to function outside of someone's specific system of theology. They might have to think for themselves.

 

I totally agree, statements like that are blasphemy, and deserve immediate banishment. Associating Calvin with Christ is about as low as it gets. Calvin belongs with Hitler and Stalin. Christ is God, a Holy God. Calvin is a murderer, torturer, thug, and a false witness.

 

FTR, I would have said the same thing if anyone said Jesus was a molinist, arminian, dispensationalist, etc.

 

Ditto.:thumbs:

It's hard for me to quite get how anyone can try to describe Jesus in terms of ANY MAN's teachings outside God's inspired word and not have a problem with saying that as it rolls off their tongue.

To say Jesus was a Calvinist, Molinist, Arminian, etc, just IMMEDIATELY leaves a bad taste in my spirit for obvious reasons.