6:05 – David started the group tonight with a question, “What does it mean that the devil has the power of death?” The devil can tempt us with sin and the wages of sin are death. However, it does not imply that Satan has any power of a child of God or over Christ. As seen in Job, the devil must ask permission from God before even touching one of His children.
6:11 – David follows with another question, “How has Christ delivered us from the devils power of death?” He has delivered us from the sting of death which is sin and the power of sin is the law. Christ has delivered us from the law. The moralist tries to keep the law but it is a futile effort. None can keep the laws.
6:16 – Consider how the Christ’s death not only changed the world, but significantly changed Heaven. Before Christ, the devil could bring accusation against God (i.e. David was a murder and adulterer and you have called him a man after your own heart). After Christ, the devil had no way to accuse the Father. (Rev 12:10) This is so important because so many people think the cross was just a sign of God’s love toward men. It was so much more, He glorified Himself through the cross and achieved much more than we could every understand.
6:28 – MacArthur speculates that God did not immediate cast Satan from Heaven because curiosity may have welled up in the remaining Angels. Thus, God may have continued to put out revolts for eternity as the Bible does say sin will run its course. Interesting theory.
6:31 – Tim is now leading the group. The theme is from Martyn Lloyd-Jones Great Doctorines of the Bible chapter Blessings of the New Covenant.
6:40 – Just completed a round room discussion on why The Message is such an insulting translation of the Bible. Tim brings the focus back on the study. Christ actually accomplished something on the cross, not something potentially (as would be the case if dealing with our will). Christ said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). See the previous post by Arturo Azurdia. If it were the other way, if Christ was just waiting for people to come after all the work He accomplished, He should be pitied. He went to the cross with a mission… to save His children. He went to the cross with names – His chosen. He was not passive, He offered Himself up.
6:54 – Had to step away to get my daughter a cup of water. Back into the study now, Tim is talkin about how he used to fear death and think of it a lot bu not anymore. He just hopes that when it comes, it is not painful and it’s “while [he's] nighty night.”
6:56 – Christ’s blood ratified the new covenant. The old covenant was writen on tablets of stone. The new covenant is written in our hearts. Symbolic.
7:01 – Assurnace of slavation is not free reigns to sin just because we cannot loose salvation. Pastor Dave points out that a saved person cannot be like a lost person. It is impossible.
7:05 – Closing prayer and conclusion until next week when Tim will continue this chapter of study.
Tags: arturo azurdia, assurance, election, martyn lloyd jones, new covenant