I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. Each month of 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation.
- December - To God Alone Be The Glory (June 12, 2023 - July 3, 2023)
- November - Vocations (March 8, 2023 - June 11, 2023)
- October - Sacraments (December 16, 2022 - March 7, 2023)
- September - The Reformation of Worship (July 20, 2022 - December 15, 2022)
- August - The Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation (April 14, 2022 - July 19, 2022)
- July - The Right Use of God's Law (May 23, 2021 - April 13, 2022)
- June - Justification by Faith Alone (February 14, 2021 - May 22, 2021)
- May, Christ Alone (September 3, 2020 - February 13, 2021)
- April, Salvation by Grace Alone (March 6, 2019 - September 2, 2020)
- March, The Sovereign Providence of God (January 28, 2019 - March 5, 2019)
- February, The Doctrine of Revelation, Scripture (January 8, 2019 - January 27, 2019)
- January, The Doctrine of God (December 16, 2018 - January 7, 2019).
The Divine Angle of Glory
The Primacy of Divine Glory - Everything God does is for His Own Glory and to be a true servant of God is to seek His glory. The Light of Glory - One of the central aspects of divine glory is bright, shining brightly, light. The Glory of Divine Beauty - There is a divine beauty that God bestows on His children, clothing me with perfect righteousness. The Eternal Weight of Glory - The Glory of God is to be of high value in my life and therefore He is what I focus on more than anything else in my life. Glory and Purity - In God's glory is holiness and purity or light. God is light. Jesus is light. Light exposes darkness. Jesus is holy and pure. The Sovereign Glory of God - God, in his control, establishes Himself and thereby His glory over everything in heaven and earth (His creation). God's Glory and Our Joy - Our greatest joy will be found when we glorify God. God's Consuming Glory - God's glory is a consuming fire which means we cannot see it until we are in heaven, like Him, without sin.
The Human Angle of Glory
God's Glory as Creator - God possesses great Glory as the creator of all things. He is worthy to receive glory from us. God's Glory in Salvation - God's Glory is evident in salvation as His glory is shown both on those He shows mercy and those that receive wrath. God's Glory in Judgment - God's glory in judgment will be clearly seen in the end. Christ the Glory of God - We can know God's divine glory by knowing Jesus and reading about Him in God's word. The Church as the Glory of God - We receive a derived glory from Jesus and we the Church are to be a light to our world, all in unity. Ascribing Glory to God - In the way I live - speak, look, act - my life is to ascribe to God the glory due Him. The Coming Knowledge of God's Glory - Glory is seen by all people as creation testifies of the knowledge of God's Glory and is also seen as people turn their lives over to following Jesus. Seeing God As He Is - Nothing is more satisfying than God Himself and our satisfaction will never be greater than when we see the beauty of divine glory face-to-face.
The Doctrine of Last Things: Eschatology
Death and the Immediate State - Before we arrive in the presence and glory of God, Christians, after death will be in an intermediate state in the presence of Christ. The Resurrection of Our Bodies - At Christ was raised from the dead, so we in Christ are linked to Him by the Spirit living in us after receiving and trusting in Him - and so we will be resurrected to a new imperishable life with Christ for eternity. The Millennial Reign of Christ - Christ is ruling and reigning now and despite different views of the Millennial, we must remain united in Christ. The Glorious Return of Christ - We can all agree that Jesus Christ will return. In the meantime, we are to focus on being His witnesses by the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Eternal Punishment - Eternal punishment for all that are resting on their own righteousness, yet the degree of their sin and the extent of revelation will impact the type of punishment they receive.
Immanuel - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) - Man was made to be with God. As Isaiah prophesied to Israel of the coming of Jesus, he called him Immanuel, "God with us." God established an earthy tabernacle and temple as the place He dwelt with His people. By bringing God to us, in Jesus, means that In Christ we are in Him, in the Temple, per se. God chose to dwell with us. Revelation 21:3 - And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them."
What is the Mind - R C Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - We think, have ideas, but what is the source? We think it is in our head. Injuries to the brain can affect thinking. At all times we are thinking, even when we sleep and dream. We think and behave and hopefully, as Christian, behave in a way that is obedient to the law of God. We believe that we possess a will. Jonathan Edwards said, "The will is the mind choosing." The mind is vital to the Christian life. Scripture tells us to renew our minds so that our thinking conforms to the will of God and pleases God. 20th century psychologist B.F. Skinner concluded that all of our responses are determined by our environment and by our physical makeup. Where is the accountability in this?
The House of God - L. Michael Morales (Professor of biblical studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary) - The tabernacle - One, it was the house of God and the place of His dwelling. Two, it was the way to God with sacrificial rituals providing the atonement and cleansing needed to dwell with God. Three primary sacrifices: One, purification offering focused on blood to be forgiven and cleansed before God. Burnt offering, burning the entire animal apart from skin shows us a total consecration to God. Third, Peace offering was a feast with family and friends in God's presence. Thus its meaning can be seen through the Creation, the Covenant and Christ. Originally, the entire cosmos was the house of God, but once polluted by sin, a secondary house or tabernacle arose. God in creation builds a 3 story house (heaven, earth, and seas) and then God takes up residence in it, followed by resting on the Sabbath. Seven days parallels seven speeches about the tabernacle (Exodus 25-31). The tabernacle reaffirms God's call from Genesis to dwell with His people. There is also a 3-fold sentiment in scripture echoed, "I will be your God, you will be My people, and I will dwell in your midst.” Mount Zion was God's permanent dwelling place, but David wanted a place for God - a temple, but it was Solomon who equipped to build it. And yet in 2 Samuel 7:11 is the remark that God will make the house - "The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you." But then it is Jesus who becomes flesh and tabernacles among us (John 1:14). The temple arrives again at Christ in the form of the church where Christ dwells through His Spirit.
The Altar of Burnt Offering - Dr. T. Desmond Alexander (senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland) - The altar of burnt offering is the most visible feature of tabernacle and temple. It is located outside of the sanctuary (one must be consecrated before entering sanctuary). Before ascending to the Mount of Sinai, the dwelling place of God, sacrifices had to be offered, thus the tabernacle. 3 parts to tabernacle - Most Holy Place (the top of the mountain), Holy Place (side of the mountain), and Courtyard (foot of the mountain). The Priests were made holy before entering the Holy Place. Being daubed with blood from sacrifices, they were cleansed from defilement of sin. Even after initial, twice a day they had to be re-consecrated. This shows us that people must be clean before seeing God and they are cleansed through multiple sacrifices or Jesus, once for all. But annually on Day of Atonement priest would taking blood to apply to mercy seat on top of the ark.
The Bronze Basin - Justin E. Estrada (senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Kingsville, Maryland) - In the courtyards, sacrifice was messy. To clean oneself for worship, the bronze basin of the tabernacle and molten sea of the temple were there. Not specific details given of the basin other than where it resides and yet the proclamation significant, "So they shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they will not die (Exodus 30:21)." Solomon with the molten sea erected a the temple a sizeable receptacle (I Kings 7:23-26). The frequent washings shows their defilement, it did not purge them of sin. Like the church, we are presented before God, washing by His word. It gets the people ready for what is to come. And so it is like baptism, showing they have broken from their old lives and are presented before God for sanctification.
The Lampstand - John D. Currid (Chancellor's Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary) - One of 3 objects standing in the Holy Place of the tabernacle is a lampstand. It's purpose is to give light. It is to be made out of pure gold. It looked like a tree and symbolizes life and blessings God has given his people. It looks back to the tree of life (eternal life) in the garden and forward to the tree of life in new heavens and earth. It had 7 branches (completeness; 7 day creation week). Jesus is now our light and lamp - Rev. 21:23 - "And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb." To Aaron he was told the lamp must always be luminating (Exodus 27:21); God's light is everlasting.
The Table of Showbread - Michael G. McKelvey (Associate professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Miss.) - Located at the right side of the Holy Place, made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, it can be similar to our dining room table and how we gather there in our homes. It could be moved, to carry. It's purpose to hold the bread of the face set before the presence of Yahweh. Each Sabbath, 12 loves sat on table for 12 tribes of Israel. Table emphasizes God's provision for His people. He provides us daily bread. Also highlights our intimate fellowship with God. These are shadows of what we have in Christ. Jesus is the bread of life. Also points to the Lord's Supper and Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
The Altar of Incense - Iain Duguid (professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia) - At the holy place all of our God created senses were used - sight (Lampstand), smell (Incense), taste (show bread), and hearing (bells on priests). Incense only offered by priests, the mediator between God and man. Also incense connected with sacrificial rituals - sin offerings for priest and people and burnt offerings. Smoke from incense rising symbolized people’s prayers constantly ascending to God. Incense essential for temple and tabernacle but now Jesus is our advocate and Jesus has taken His blood and cleansed His people forever. May our thankful prayers rise daily like incense.
The Curtain - Benjamin Shaw (professor of Old Testament at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida) - After sinning in the garden, the cherubim separated people from God’s presence. The curtain or veil was between the Holy Place and Most Holy Place in the temple to divide the two. The Holy Place was where God spoke to Moses and where the ark with mercy seat resides. Once a year the priest could enter. At the point of Jesus’ death the Synoptic gospels the curtain torn from top to bottom. Jesus entered not just the Holy place of the temple but heaven itself and entered permanently. Hebrews 10:19-20 days we enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus. The guarding cherubim removed.
The Ark of the Covenant - Bryan D. Estelle (professor of Old Testament at Westminster Seminary California) - 20 different designations given of ark in the Bible. Made of gold-plated acacia wood with 2 winged cherubim facing one another and under wings the mercy seat. High priest yearly on day of atonement sprinkled blood to propitiate and expiate sins. Included inside 10 commandments, Aaron’s rod and a bowl of manna.
Conflict in Light of Eternity - Rev. Jason Helopoulos (senior pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - As a pastor, he mentions that a lot of what He does as a pastor is help people that have been injured by other people, and often those are other people in the church. Much can be done to help, but one that is overlooked often is to remind people of eternity. We often stare at our circumstances, caught up in our own fights amongst ourselves, and yet ultimately we need to see that as His children, anchored in Him, our ultimate goal is eternity.
When you want Someone Else's Gift - Melissa Kruger (Women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, NC) - It is easy to look at one another and think other people have more value than ourselves because of a position they have or possessions they have. Paul speak to us of spiritual gifts and reminds us, "there are many parts, yet one body (I Cor. 12:20)." We need one another. We are all vital. Yes, we all are different and look different, but we all glorify Him.
Scattering Seed - Kevin Gardner (Associate editor of Tabletalk and graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary) - You can't predict how people's spiritual journey will turn out. Recalls working iwht a student in youth ministry. Young man good-natured, attended events but not interested in gospel. Then after going to college, discovered him at one of our camps in leadership, having come to faith. Reminded of Paul's words in Ephesians 1:15 when he says he "heard of [the Ephesians] faith" and some critics have thought this meant Paul didn't write Ephesians because he would already know of their faith and not simply heard of it. But it could have been 5 years since he visited Ephesus and wrote the letter to them. There is time often in preaching the gospel and people coming to faith. There is no set time table. The sower in Jesus' parable reminds us we are called to scatter seed (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). We hope it bears fruit and that one day the sower and reaper will rejoice together (John 4:36-38). But we never know.
Being a Goer and a Sender - Jonathan Leeman (editorial director at 9Marks and an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - Am I goer and sender? I am called to be both. I am to be on mission in my local area, but I am also to be a sender and help those that have been called into missions. The church sent Paul and Barnabas to places the gospel had never been preached (Acts 13:3). And elsewhere there are similar statements of sending out people on mission (Col. 4:3-4, 3 John 6-8, Titus 3:13). Work locally and send out.
Instruments of Revelation - Aaron L. Garriott (production manager of Tabletalk magazine and student at Reformed Theological Seminary) - How does God speak to us today? Heb. 1:2 said, God, ...in these last days has spoken to us in His Son. Chosen men wrote the Bible, commissioned by Jesus. God speaks to us through His apostles as recorded in scripture.
As I Imitate Christ - Tom Ascol (senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida) - Our goal is to be like Christ and so in discipleship we need to tell others and show them what it means to be a follower. Paul said, "“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Jesus' example is perfect for us. We are to pattern our love for others after His love for us, to also be a servant and to suffer as He did. Paul not only instructed but lived it out (Phil. 4:9).
Teaching Children about the Lord's Supper - Don Bailey (Associate pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida) - The understanding is a child taking the Lord's Supper needs to have a personal understanding of the sacrament having had a profession of faith. I Corinthians 11:23-29 gives this idea when it acknowledges we are to "take", "eat", "drink", and "proclaim" (v.26) and "examine oneself." Toward our children, we are to teach them to repent daily and trust Jesus, reminding them we are also sinners.
Thank you
Scriptures Call to Christian Living - John Calvin - Call to Christian Living. I love simplicity - 2 main parts - a love of righteousness must be implanted and poured into our hearts - and we need a model so as to not lose our way in our pursuit of righteousness. 1. Be holy as He is Holy. We cling to His holiness to be holy. We follow him.
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