Philippians 1:9-11, What if we don't bother with theological triage?

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Theological Triage
Text: Philippians 1:9-11
Theme: What if we don't bother with theological triage?

Theological Triage: Ranking theological issues based on how central they are to the Christian faith

Tier 4: Personal Preferences of Residual Wisdom

• Choices based on what is more pleasing
• Informed and shaped by tiers 1, 2, and 3
• Examples (at some level)
  • Music style and song selection
  • Bible translation
  • Building design and decor
  • Technology in the service

If we don't do theological triage, then...

• We ignore biblical discernment.
• We undermine the gospel.
• We dishonor the unity of the church.
• We confuse the young Christian.
• We forfeit peace that comes from priority.
• We fight too much.
• We fight too little.

...that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent... ~ Philippians 1:9

Romans 14:1-12, Hold Your Convictions with Charity and Humility

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Theological Triage
Text: Romans 14:1-12
Theme: Hold Your Convictions with Charity and Humility

Theological Triage: Ranking theological issues based on how central they are to the Christian faith.

Tier 3: Biblical Conclusions for Personal Understanding

• Doctrines that produce nuances of theological interpretation and life application.
• Convictions - Conclusions of belief or behavior.
• Conscience - a moral standard that you apply yourself.

Two Warnings

• Your conscience must be calibrated (aligned) with the standard of the Bible.
• You cannot argue from conviction to truth...because your conclusions may be different or deficient.

Examples

• Theological Interpretation: End Times, Creation, Spiritual Gifts, Calvinism.
• Life Applications:

Key Question: What scripture has persuaded me?

1 Timothy 4:6-16, We need wisdom to live biblically with God's church

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Theological Triage
Text: 1 Timothy 4:6-16
Theme: We need wisdom to live biblically with God's church.

Jude 4, Theological Triage: Essential Truth of the Christian Faith

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 4
Theme: Theological Triage: Essential Truth of the Christian Faith

Theological Triage: Ranking theological issues based on how central thay are to the Christian faith.

Outside of "the faith"
*They distort saving grace
*They deny sovereign authority

Galatians: "a different gospel"
*They reject transforming grace
*They reject the transcendent God

Essential Truth
*The revelation of of God
*Inspiration & authority of the Bible
*The trinity and the Deity of Christ
*God's plan to save sinners through Jesus
*Justification by faith, atonement, resurrection
*Christ's return as King and Judge

Conclusion: I must confess these essential truths as a Christian.

...contend for the faith... ~ Jude 3

Jude 1-4, Theological Triage

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 1-4
Theme: Theological Triage

Jude 24-25, Our Confidence to Fight for Truth Must Rest in God's Powerful Work Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 24-25
Theme: Our Confidence to Fight for Truth Must Rest in God's Powerful Work Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Because God is able...

One: ...we are kept by steadfast love.

Two: ...we will be perfected by Divine promise.

Three: ...we are treasured for great joy.

Four: ...we should be focused on matchless glory.

Five: ...we are governed by sovereign lordship.

Now to him who is able...be glory... ~ Jude 24-25

Jude 22-23

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 22-23
Theme: You Must Fight for the Truth of the Gospel with the Mercy of the Gospel.

Jude 17-21, Strategies of Fighting for the Truth

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 17-21
Theme: Strategies of Fighting for the Truth

One: Remember your mission to stand against error.

• Strategy #1: Know that you live in a world that opposes God.
• Strategy #2: Know that you belong to the God that overcomes the world.

Two: Anchor your confidence to God's love.

• Strategy #3: Grow in your understanding of Bible doctrine.
• Strategy #4: Depend on the Spirit as you pray.
• Strategy #5: Anticipate the fullness of salvation's promise.

Keep yourself in the love of God ~ Jude 21

Psalm 90

Ron Webber

Speaker: Ron Webber
Text: Psalm 90

Jude 8-16, False teaching leads to moral bankruptcy

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 8-16
Theme: False teaching leads to moral bankruptcy

Jude 5-7, Rejecting God's Truth Has Always Been a Bad Idea

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 5-7
Theme: Rejecting God's Truth Has Always Been a Bad Idea

One: Events from History

• The unbelief of the nation of Israel
• The pride of the angels of heaven
• The sensuality of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah

Two: Common Factors from the Events From History

• Rejection of God's truth
• Rebellion against God's way
• Ruin by God's judgement

Three: Lessons to Learn from the Events of History

• Be warned by shipwrecks of the past.
• Be steadfast in your commitment to truth.
• Be thinking about applying to truth to life.
• Be confident in God's victory over sin and error.

Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it... ~ Jude 5

Jude 4, You Must be Committed to Fight for the Truth...and Here's Why

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 4
Theme: You Must be Committed to Fight for the Truth...and Here's Why:

One: ...because error may be subtle, but it is always significant.

Two: ...because acknowledging God is the battle line.

• Is the truth of God the substance of our doctrine?
• Is the truth of God the standard of our lifestyle?

Three: ...because grace is often distorted to license.

• Love is distorted into acceptance.
• Forgiveness is distorted into indulgence.

Four: ...because many deny the lordship of Jesus.

• Jesus is the sovereign God.
• Jesus is the risen Christ.

...contend for the faith...for certain people...pervert the grace of God ~ Jude 3-4

Matthew 14:22-33, Is God enough?

Allan Heney

Speaker: Allan Heney
Text: Matthew 14:22-33
Theme: Is God enough?

One: A life of obedience to God will involve storms.

• God, in His providence, will compel His children into storms.
• God is doing this for a purpose.

Two: God in His steadfast love promises His presence in the storm.

• God will come to us in our time of need.
• In the midst of the storm, God reveals Himself to us.
• God guides us through the storm.

Three: God's character provides a certain hope.

• I am the bread of life - John 6:35
• I am the Light of the world - John 8:12
• I am the Door - John 10:7,9
• I am the good shepherd - John 10:11,14
• I am the resurrection and the life - John 11:25
• I am the way, the truth and the life - John 14:6
• I am the vine - John 15:1,5

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." ~ Matthew 14:27

Jude 3, You Must be Committed to the Fight

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 3
Theme: You Must be Committed to the Fight

Four Resolutions for the Fight for Truth

One: Because I am loved by God, I should risk being hated by the world.

Two: Because I have been saved, I should be motivated by gospel joy.

Three: Because I am a steward of God's truth, I should defend and promote it.

• Contend = to agonize for
• The faith = the collection of doctrine that reveals God and His salvation in Jesus the Son.

Four: Because I am tempted by ease, I should be stirred by the challenge to fight.

...contend for the faith... ~ Jude 3

Your Standing in Christ is the Basis for Your Fighting for Truth

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Jude: Fighting for the Truth
Text: Jude 1-2
Theme: Your Standing in Christ is the Basis for Your Fighting for Truth

One: What description of a fighter is given?

• Understands the submission to Christ's Lordship
• Understands the advance of Christ's church
• Understands the wonder of God's salvation

Two: What seems missing from the definition of a fighter?

• Fiery boldness, skilled speaking, superior intellect, engaging personality
• Your call to fight flows from your standing in Christ, not your skill set

Three: Why are mercy, peace, and love multiplied to a fighter?

• To know how good God is
• To show how good God is

Conclusion:

• Stop making excuses for your fear.
• Celebrate what God has done for you.
• Believe that mercy, peace, and love empower you and your message.

...to those who are called, beloved...and kept... ~ Jude 1

Psalm 19, A Single Thread Connecting Nature, The Law and Christ

Daniel Moorehead

Speaker: Daniel Moorehead
Text: Psalm 19
Theme: A Single Thread Connecting Nature, The Law and Christ

Have You Considered My Servant Job?

Matt Hargrave

Speaker: Matt Hargrave
Text: Job 1-2
Theme: Have You Considered My Servant Job?

Demystifying the Kingdom

Dennis Clemons

Speaker: Dennis Clemons
Series: Mark
Text: Mark 4:1-20
Theme: Demystifying the Kingdom

One: The secret of the kingdom...

Two: ...is concealed from outsiders...

Three: ...through spiritual warfare...

Four: ...but revealed to insiders...

Five: ...at the discretion of the King.

..."He who has ears to hear, let him hear." ~ Mark 4:9

Keep Growing

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Peter
Text: 2 Peter 3:14-18
Theme: Keep Growing

One: Work at holiness.

Two: Rehearse the gospel.

Three: Study the Bible.

Four: Look to Jesus...for...

• Sustaining grace
• Transformational knowledge
• Benevolent Lordship
• Eternal rescue
• Fulfilled promises

...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord... ~ 2 Peter 3:18

Your Beliefs About "THEN" Should Affect Your Behavior "NOW"

Adam Godshall

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Peter
Text: 2 Peter 3:11-13
Theme: Your Beliefs About "THEN" Should Affect Your Behavior "NOW".

One: I should live like I belong to God.

Two: I should live to reflect the character of Christ.

Three: I should trust God to avenge sin.

Four: I should contribute to God's kingdom victory.

Five: I should believe that restoration will be better than I can imagine.

...what sort of people ought you to be... ~ 2 Peter 3:11