Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Iowa RP Family Camp 2019 - Talk 3

Joel Wood · July 30, 2019

Scripture passage not listed

sharonrpc.org/sermons/iowa-rp-family-camp-2019-1521192083559

Summary

Christian change must grow from gospel realities before moving to commands, or obedience collapses into legalism, pride, and self-reliance.
The Spirit applies Christ's purchased redemption by effectually calling sinners, working faith, and uniting them to Christ.
Ephesians 4 calls believers into one body marked by humility, gentleness, patience, love, and Spirit-created unity.
The humbled, risen, ascended, and enthroned Christ gives the Spirit and varied servants to equip his people for maturity.
Growth is corporate rather than solitary: every member receives gifts and contributes to the body's stability and building up.
Christ's call, gifts, humiliation, exaltation, and body are the resources God supplies for real sanctifying change.

Do I begin the pursuit of change with God's work in Christ or with proud attempts to command myself into holiness?
How does union with Christ alter the resources I believe are available against sin?
Am I preserving the Spirit's unity through humility, patience, gentleness, and love?
Do I receive church officers and other members' gifts as provisions from the ascended Christ?
Where have I treated sanctification as an individual project instead of growth within Christ's body?
What gift or responsibility can I use to help another member mature?

Effectual calling: The Spirit's inward work making the outward gospel call savingly understood and embraced.
Union with Christ: The Spirit-created bond through faith by which believers share in Christ and the redemption he purchased.
Indicative and imperative: The gospel pattern in which what God has done in Christ grounds and empowers what believers are commanded to do.
Body of Christ: The church as one interdependent people under Christ the head, with every member gifted for mutual growth.