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Education and the Mission of God

By Scott Masson/ August 17, 2014

Series  Powerful Proverbs

Context  Westminster Chapel Toronto

Topic  Education

Scripture  Proverbs 3:1-12; Genesis 1:26-28; Matthew 28:18-19; Ephesians 6:1-4

If we reject the Lord of life we will reap a culture of death. Education in the knowledge of God and submission to His law-order is the basis for freedom, blessing, and a long life.

Scripture:  Proverbs 3:1-12

Sermon Notes:

  1. The original sin was a political rebellion, a kingdom that opposed God’s kingdom.
  2. The modern humanist state is another religious rebellion against God.
  3. Education is an aspect of the broader mission of God:   the knowledge of the Lord and the fear of His Name is central to true freedom in God’s world (Proverbs 3).
  4. By making the state the highest authority, man is creating a god on earth, the deified human collective.
  5. When the state claims to be the source of law and the highest authority that exists, then it is claiming to be god.
  6. If the state is to achieve absolute freedom to order the lives of its citizens, then all things must be under its absolute control.
  7. When we reject the Lord of life, we reap a culture of death.
  8. Culture is a reflection of our internal faith.
  9. People drop out of reality using drugs because their faith in the state’s promised utopia has been shattered.
  10. It is in the act of moral rebellion itself, that secular man asserts his utopian god. 
  11. In defense of their god secularists strongly oppose Christianity and the Christian family.
  12. Under the utopian state we see growth of taxation and tyranny.  Meanwhile God’s law offers freedom.
  13. God created man and woman to multiply fruitfully and to work to bring order to the creation (Genesis 1:26-28).
  14. By faith in the work of Christ on the cross, the dominion reign of Christ extends over all the earth (Matthew 28:18-20).
  15. Education in the Lord is the basis for blessing and a long life (Ephesians 6:1-4).
  16. Education is where we learn what to believe about God and how to act toward God and toward man. 
  17. This learning is the foundation of building culture (Romans 12:1-2).
  18. The counterfeit god of the state promises life after death, but cannot deliver (Proverbs 3).
  19. Civilization is cultivated by God’s law applied to every aspect of our lives. 
  20. Life will be better and longer under the blessing of honouring God’s order and obeying God’s commands.
  21. God predestines human history, and upholds every aspect of the universe.
  22. The Christian vision of education is to produce civilization that enjoys the blessings of living according to God’s word.

Application Questions:

  1. How is the original sin similar to man’s rebellion manifest in the modern humanist state?
  2. What is the basis of freedom in God’s world?
  3. What do each of the following passages say about the purpose and essence of education?   Proverbs 3:1-12; Genesis 1:26-28; Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 6:1-4
  4. Why is the Christian faith so strongly opposed by the secular humanist state?
  5. Discuss practical ways we can work to advance God’s mission.

Sermon Notes