Lesson 42 Outline: Faithfulness, the Ground of Christian Love and Compassion.
Worship service 12/17.

Greetings and good morning saints, brethren and beloved by God. We are called, and chosen not of works going before or because of knowledge of works that follow, but according to the free grace and mercy of God, because He willed it so, and took pity on us in our misery sending our Lord Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. And therefore we come before Him to worship in the name and righteousness of Jesus Christ knowing that we have no merit of our own. ‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:4‭-‬7‬ ‭says, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” we are justified by faith as the instrumental cause, but by His grace as the original cause, and therefore since our salvation is wholly and entirely in the hands of God, we worship Him knowing what He hath done for us and not for what He might do, or may not do. He hath delivered us from the power of sin and death and therefore do we give Him glory and praise and honor. And so let us pray before the reading of the word. Our gracious and merciful Father, we come unto thee empty of all worthiness of our own or boast of merit, in all reverence and humility, bowing ourselves before thee in shame and contrition, acknowledging our faults and weaknesses in the light of thy incomprehensible greatness and majesty. (and in thy presence we do now in a special manner appear, even in the worship of thy name and the reading of thy precious word) we freely confess our own vileness and unworthiness to approach so near unto thee, and the utter inability of ourselves to accomplish so great a work, even to understand the doctrine contained in the scriptures and profit therefrom; and we do humbly beseech thee for pardon, assistance, and acceptance, in the whole service here to be performed; and for a blessing on that particular portion of thy holy word now to be read in the assembly of the saints: All in the name, and through the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our wisdom we pray, Amen.

Psalm 14: 1 He describeth the perverse nature of men, which were so grown to licentiousness, that God was brought to utter contempt. 7 For the which thing, although he was greatly grieved, yet being persuaded that God would send some present remedy, he comforteth himself and others.

1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

3 All are gone out of the way, they are all together corrupt: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

4 Do not all the workers of iniquity know that they eat up my people, as they eat bread? they call not upon the Lord.

5 There did they tremble in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.

7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Several things are worthy of note in this Psalm. First that it contains an essential theological principle to which all believers subscribe.

David did not have the wisdom books, the prophets, the New Testament, the works of Augustine, Calvin or the Westminster Confession of Faith. Yet by the Spirit of God leading him to sound conclusions he declares all men to be corrupt, universally, totally and unequivocally. We must bear in mind that when scripture speaks all men are to shut their mouths in silence. It pronounces men dead, and yet there are many in the church who say men are partly alive. They downplay the corruption of man and say, he is not as wicked as he could be, or he is still able to do some good, or even able to believe unto salvation. But the Psalmist against all this vain sophistry boldly declares without reservation that all men are corrupt and in such a depraved state as renders them utterly incapable of any good work. Such is the nature of man that he will never be converted except by a miracle of God, in which the soul is renewed and transformed into the likeness of God through regeneration. Then when God has humbled man and taught him sound doctrine by the preaching of the law, he being shaped by the word of God rather than sense condemns man rather than justifying him and declares his corrupt state plainly, even in opposition to the whole world which seeks to justify man in his depraved condition, speaking fair words to gain advantage. This we learn from the Psalmist’s speech. And so you have 4 theological principles set down by the prophet here just in the opening verse (for all who speak in the name of God are called in scripture prophets). We have 1. The spiritual nature of the subject. “hath said in his heart.” showing that even when men flatter themselves and others with their lips, their hearts are far from God and they curse him inwardly declaring by their doctrine and works that they believe not in God. 2. A declaration of their state. “they are corrupt” not rashly generalizing, but understanding the nature of man from the corrupt fruit they bring forth. 3. The proof of the accusation. “they have done abominable works” showing by their own works which master they serve. 4. A conclusion drawn based on the doctrinal evidence. “There is none that doeth good.” for if man is incapable of good, it proves he does no good, and so he teaches us likewise to condemn man in sin and not to be persuaded by their fair speech and flattering ways, but to understand that all men are fools who believe not in God.

Calvin:
The Hebrew word נבל , nabal, signifies not only a fool, but also a perverse, vile, and contemptible person. So all profane persons, who have cast off all fear of God and abandoned themselves to iniquity, are convicted of madness. David does not bring against his enemies the charge of common foolishness, but rather inveighs against the folly and insane hardihood of those whom the world accounts eminent for their wisdom. We commonly see that those who, in the estimation both of themselves and of others, highly excel in sagacity and wisdom, employ their cunning in laying snares, and exercise the ingenuity of their minds in despising and mocking God. It is therefore important for us, in the first place, to know, that however much the world applaud these crafty and scoffing characters, who allow themselves to indulge to any extent in wickedness, yet the Holy Spirit condemns them as being fools; for there is no stupidity more brutish than forgetfulness of God.

Now we can safely apply Calvin’s words to the neo Calvinists of our day who do not say with their lips there is no God, but with their hearts. For by inventing new doctrines contrary to the word of God as common grace and the free offer of the gospel, moreover in accepting heretics into their congregations and blessing those whom God hath cursed, they show plainly that they are not wise but fools, despite being magnified by all the people as learned and pious. Yea though all the world flock to them and swear they are men of faith, it will not change their condition, or the judgment of God against them as we see here in the Psalm and the words of Calvin. Therefore let us remember and bear in mind that it is not enough to say you are a member of the faith, but you must demonstrate it by faithful adherence to sound doctrine and a life of good works. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?” so let us remember that the Calvinists of our day boast of faith but have no doctrine or works to prove it. They say in their heart there is no God, by denying His wrath against sinners (justifying Arminians and other heretics) and His justice demanding satisfaction (in common grace and the free offer).

Therefore looking into God’s word with a renewed heart and a mind enabled to understand spiritual mysteries, we come before Him to learn from His own mouth what we are to believe and how we are to live.

Opening prayer,
Our gracious and compassionate Father who art in heaven, thou who art loving to give us knowledge of thy word and faithful to keep it. We come before thee in reverent acknowledgement of thy power and justice knowing that thou canst do all things, and wilt assuredly execute vengeance on thine enemies, for thou hast said, “I will not acquit”. We ask thee for grace and pardon in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, for even though we who are true members of the faith are saved from thy wrath and guaranteed a life of fellowship with thee in the Spirit, we still fail and fall short of thy glory and are in need of daily pardon, assistance and support. We ask humbly for thee to shed the light of thy grace upon us this day, the first day of the week, the crowning glory of all other days, the Lord’s day, the day of solemn worship and the assembly of the saints. We consecrate this day and this day only and do count it as holy above other days even as thy word hath commanded, saying, “remember the Sabbath day to keep in holy” and, “on the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together… Paul preached unto them.” and again, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day”. But the men of this generation have forgotten thy word and do consecrate other days and do esteem them as holy and separate them after their own vanity and pleasure. They follow the traditions of men and the practice of the heathen, even as thou hast commanded us not to do. We pray therefore for the abolition and cessation of all superstitious and vain traditions, and for the establishment of the kingdom of God which does not consist in worldly happiness or material possessions, but in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, not presently enjoyed in the fullest but patiently waited for until the coming of Christ who will take us to be where He is, and to His Father to experience the fullness of joy forever. Therefore do we wait for that day and pray for thy kingdom to come. Even so, come Lord Jesus, in whose holy and awesome name we pray, Amen.

Lesson 42.

Faithfulness, the ground of Christian love and compassion.

If, therefore, there be any spark in you of 1. love to God, be not content that any of yours should be ignorant of him whom you so much admire, or any haters of him whom you so much love. 2. If there be any compassion to the souls of them who are under your care, 3. if any regard of your being found faithful in the day of Christ, 4. if any respect to future generations, labour to sow these seeds of knowledge, which may grow up in after-times.

Intro.
[1] The attributes of God and His image stamped upon us. Col. 3:10
[2] The unity of God’s perfections.
What is God? (WSC)
[3] The necessity to be complete.
2 Pet. 1:3-11
3. Faithfulness, as a qualifier of compassion.
[1] Faithfulness a necessary component of compassion. (The truth of God’s justice and wrath against the lie of universal love.)
True godly compassion never contradicts the word of God.
Examples of worldly compassion contradicting faithfulness to the gospel:
1. Holding all professors in the church as believers.
2. Holding that all infants go to heaven.
3. Holding to the universal love of God.
4. Holding compassion in such a regard as to overthrow faithfulness to the gospel.
[2] Faithfulness to God’s law and covenant is displayed by adherence to sound doctrine.
[3] Faithfulness is shown by opposition to aberrant doctrine and practice.
i. Opposition to the false gospel.
ii. Opposition to irreverent forms of worship.
iii. Opposition to the accursed secular opinions of men. (Liberalism, Feminism, Social justice,
iv. Opposition to the vanity of the world.

Conclusion.
[1] Faithfulness and the fruits of the Spirit.
[2] Faithfulness and compassion.
[3] Faithfulness and love.
[4] Final exhortation to the faithful to remain so in their calling waiting for the last day to be rewarded by God. Revelation 17:14

Closing prayer,
Our righteous, holy and faithful Father, thou who does inhabit eternity and art more in thy divine excellencies than we can ever think according to our highest aspirations, thou who art God, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in thy being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. Thou art faithful in thy mercy and just in thy love and condescension. Therefore do we give thee praise and adore thee for thy wonderful attributes. We ask for blessing upon us, that we would profit from thy word and that according to thy infinite condescension and love thou wouldst impart grace to us through it. We pray that we through Christ might be like thee, fashioned in thy likeness in knowledge, righteousness and holiness. Not inconsistent in principles or double minded in doctrine, but looking unto Christ with fixed eyes might be active in all works of sincere obedience through Him. We pray that we would be furnished and equipped with all the graces of the Spirit, with love for thy kingdom and people, joy in light of thy comfortable presence with us, peace according to our stability in justification, patience for the coming of our Lord Christ, kindness in sincerity for our brothers in the Lord, goodness and readiness to help those in need, faith in Christ according to sound doctrine, meekness and lowliness of spirit, ready to forgive injury, and temperance that we might be strong against temptation. And thus furnished with these blessed gifts we might show ourselves sons of God. As the evil men of this generation give gifts to their children, even so reserve the best gifts, grace, mercy and love for the objects of thine own desire and evermore deliver us from the wiles of the devil and the evil machinations of men, for the whole world lieth in wickedness. And deliver us from all evil by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom we love and for whom we wait patiently, eagerly anticipating His judgment on sinful men. In Him who is our Captain and Prince we live, and in His name we pray, Amen.

YouTube Audio: https://youtu.be/C6KmME5XIZA