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Gospel Education

By David Robinson/ May 7, 2017

Series  Christian Discipleship

Context  Westminster Chapel Toronto

Topic  Education

Scripture  Philippians 2:14-16

Education is not about getting knowledge; it is about being formed in the image of Christ. To be formed like Christ we need to be obedient.

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-16

Sermon Notes:

  1. As an aspect of gospel ministry, Christian education is essential. Every church is a learning and teaching community.
  2. Gospel education forms and transforms us into the image of Christ, as we hold onto and hold forth the Word of Life.
  3. The church has been sidelined on the question of education. Education has become utilitarian, focusing on practical sciences and fields that are considered useful. Character, moral, and spiritual formation are considered unimportant. Thus, the church’s role in education is discounted.
  4. Following Nietzche, the modern view is that God is dead and the church is His tomb.
  5. There’s a temptation in the church to conform to cultural trends in order to be relevant. The focus shifts away from God Himself to the worshiper and their experience of church.
  6. If the church’s focus is on meeting the felt needs of the worshipper rather than directing worship towards God, then Christ and His Word are not guiding the church. The people are unconverted; there’s no transformation.
  7. People need to reject the patterns of the world and be conformed to Christ.
  8. In a flood, dead wood and garbage flow with the current. But a church that is alive will swim against the current.
  9. We’re to shine as lights in a crooked generation. Christ is at the center of our worship and who we are.
  10. As we worship, fellowship, pray, and learn together, Christ is formed in us (2 Cor. 3:18).
  11. The Christian is to be characterized by repentance, prayer and obedience.
  12. People who are conformed to this age are crooked and twisted.
  13. The crooked generation may shape and influence us to envy, covetousness, greed, and vanity. We need to examine our own hearts to see if we’re being influenced in subtle ways.
  14. Pray that the Holy Spirit may reveal the crooked ways in your own heart; be open to the feedback of a brother or sister to reveal your blind spots.
  15. We’re to be blameless and pure in this generation. When we confess our sins, God is faithful to cleanse us (1 John 1:9).
  16. Prayer needs to be meditation on God’s Word and contemplation on Christ. We need to spend time each day watching for the Lord, meditating on God’s Word.
  17. We’re to meditate upon and delight in God’s Word (Psalm 1).
  18. Throughout the history of the church, the people God has seen fit to use are people of prayer.
  19. God takes holiness and purity seriously; the discipline of reading through the Scriptures is purifying.
  20. We find Christ in His Word. Augustine says the Bible is God’s face for now. That is where we seek Him.
  21. Obedience is what makes repentance and prayer genuine; it adds authenticity.
  22. Education is not about getting knowledge; it’s about being formed in the image of Christ. To be formed in Christ we need to be obedient.
  23. As we are resist being conformed to this age, we are becoming wise to discern what is good, pleasing and perfect. Those formed in Christ should be influenced by love to want others to be shaped by Christ.
  24. We shine as lights; the word for light is found in Gen. 1; Dan. 12; Rev. 21. Christ is the permanent, fixed light who guides us; likewise, we’re to persevere in shining for Christ.
  25. Spend time with those who have been living in repentance for many years.
  26. One way we can shine like lights in the sky is by holding up what is good, perfect and pleasing in contrast to a culture obsessed with what is sinful, foolish and immature. Advocate for what is good and pleasing.

Application Questions:

  1. What is the scope and purpose of Christian education?
  2. What is deficient about our culture’s view of education?
  3. How has the contemporary church lost sight of its role to spread truth and transformation?
  4. What is the object of God’s activity in our lives? See Rom. 8:29-30; Gal. 4:19; 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 12:2.
  5. How can we advocate for what is good, pleasant, pleasing?
  6. What is the shape of your life? Where is it headed?