Sunday, November 05, 2006

After Darkness, Light - Current Study at 2.22 Fridays

On Friday nights, over the following months, Pastor Jeff will embark on a sermon series called “After Darkness, Light.” He's going to use 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 as a springboard into this biblical study. This passage, like none other, captures four primary theological categories or themes that he has discovered independently while surveying the doctrine of illumination. The breakdown of this passage is as follows:

The Context

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

Theme 1 – Condemnation without Illumination

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Theme 2 – Communication for Illumination

2 Corinthians 4:5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

Theme 3 – Conversion by Illumination

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts…

Theme 4 – Communion through Illumination

2 Corinthians 4:6 …to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Practically speaking, these four categories will lead to four applications:
  • By rejecting illumination you’re condemned

  • By biblical communication you’re transformed

  • By illumination your soul is converted

  • By illumination your communion is enriched.

Be sure and join us each Friday night for this study. Remember, we have a meal each Friday beginning at 6:30pm, so bring a few bucks to help cover costs (guests eat free!). We begin our worship around 7pm with a focus on missions, then worship through song, then Jeff will open the Word to us.

Hope to see you there!


**2.22 WILL NOT MEET the Friday after Thanksgiving, and also on December 8.

1 comment:

desiree said...

Sounds exciting! Thanks for the info!