The Beza Briefing: More on Law and Gospel (Part 2)

Thanksgiving, Church Life, and the Day’s Setup

Give thanks to the Lord of hosts for the Lord is good and in steadfast love endures forever. It's Mike Avendroth no compromise radio to start the show like we normally do welcome to no compromise radio.

But I had my Bible randomly turned to Jeremiah chapter 33 and that was verse 11 so I thought I would read it because it's such a good truth. That's reiterated Many many times in the scriptures. Well, what's going on here?

You know, it's a sunny day today. It's about 60 and I've been trying to meet with the Deacons individually every Fall I try to meet with them one-on-one have a little lunch and then Every spring as well.

So I just got done meeting with one of the faithful Deacons here at BBC Church org and That was good. We're just talking about ministry trying to thank him try to encourage him. We had some really good food.

There's a Thai place In town that has the tenderest chicken. I get the mango curry chicken. You know the hipster podcast packed them and other things, you know, they talk about food Pat does or other things and so Hey, I get to talk about food too.

Spicy mango curry chicken and Basically, what happens is Oh Train of thought here, Omaha Bible Church has a pastor named Pat Abendroth and guess what is happening at Omaha Bible Church? There's something brand new while they've had conferences in the past.

There's something brand new and it's called the Pactam conference. Oh, that's that that makes sense 2023 Pactam conference. It's called all things new October 6th and 7th of this year 2023, Omaha, Nebraska, and there are going to be four speakers.

Daryl Hart's going to be there DG Hart and he's going to preach on Sunday. Excuse me a Friday night two sessions. Then Pat Abendroth will preach a session. Then on Saturday morning Michael Beck from two-age sojourners.

I believe that's what it's called a New Zealand podcast and Then he's gonna preach Sunday morning. Do a session or two on? Saturday because he's flown a long way and I get one session in one Q &A, but I'm the brother so that's okay I get to go home to see Family all things new October 6th and 7th.

You can register at the Pactam dot Org, let's see. Is it is it org? The Pactam org, I don't know the the registrations on brush of fire is Who he's using for registration all things new October 6th and 7th 2023.

I don't know Michael Beck very well. I like him but it's gonna be fun behind the scenes hanging out with these guys and Picking Daryl Hart's brain all things new in Revelation 21 is Pat's message Machen and the age to come.

DG heart a history of social justice and over realized eschatology. DG heart then on Saturday. The logic of two ages. Michael Beth Beck the myth of future justification. And that's me and Pat says he wants me to name names.

And so, you know federal vision people new perspectives. John Piper. New creation and already not yet Michael Beck. That's Saturday then Sunday Q &A with Michael Beck. Mike Avendroth and Pat Avendroth worship service.

Michael Beck preaching. So there you have it Pactam conference 2023 all things new looking forward to it. Although it's the Lord's will if we do this or do that, right? I was supposed to speak at a Pactam conference Omaha Bible Church conference two years ago.

And I think who is there? Fesco and Matthew Barrett, and I was supposed to be the other speaker and I was afraid I was just scared. And it was about the Trinity to no less and I'm like I see Fesco. So anyway, this one is we're gonna be a little bit easier this is up my wheelhouse.

In my wheelhouse along my wheelhouse, I guess prepositions do matter. Today is another installment of the Bazaar briefing Teddy Baza the Christian faith a concise systematic theology that is so wonderful.

I've been reading it Word for word on air. I know I don't have an editor but last show. Yesterday, I believe I didn't make but hardly a couple of mistakes a couple few. And so I'm trying to read carefully and slowly and if you want to put it at 1 .5 speed you can.

Theodore Baza the Christian faith. Sections like the Father the Son the Holy Spirit. The church judgment and conclusion. I think those are the different chapters and we're in chapter 4 the Holy Spirit and as advertised.

This is the section we're in and boy, it's going to be good. The other fruit of the preaching of the law once the preaching of the gospel has Affectually done its work last time we talked about the law first use how it shows us our sins as unbelievers and it's a mirror and it tells us that we have fallen short of the grace of God and his glory and We're transgressors and trespass and sin and therefore we need a Savior.

First use of the law and if you want to use first use when you're preaching To unbelievers great if you use first use while you're preaching to believers. I don't even have a problem with that in terms of showing people what they were rescued from as law breakers.

That'd be fine by me. No problem. It's not like we can never talk about first use to believers. We just don't put them back under the Covenant of Works to quote my friend Scott Clark as If it were possible.

Means you can't put them under Covenant of Works because Covenant of Works was with Adams the Adam the Covenant of Works. It's like we're under a Covenant of Works now as Unbelievers, but as believers, well, let's see what Beza has to say about once you've given the law to unbelievers is law of the law of God now null and void and Fulfilled and the end of the law because of Jesus.

Is there any room for law in the Christian faith? I think you know the answer among the effects that Jesus Christ produces when he dwells in us. We have shown and this is not the least that he creates us in a creates in us a pure heart.

See once I said I didn't make mistakes. There's the first one. At least the first big one Psalm 51 to know. Jeremiah 24 to will and to do what is of God Philippians 2. Previously, we were slaves in sin Romans 6.

Enemies of God Ephesians 2. Incapable of even thinking anything good 2nd Corinthians 3. Thus spaces says when our disposition has changed the preaching of the law begins also to change its effect in us.

Such that instead of terrifying us it Consoles us 1st John 2. 2nd Peter 1. Instead of showing us how near our damnation is It serves as a guide. It serves as a guide. It serves as a guide. He did not repeat those words, but I did.

To teach us the good works Jeremiah 31. Romans 7 in which God has purposed we shall walk Ephesians 2 10. Finally instead of being an unpleasant and unbearable yoke it becomes pleasant and light to us Matthew 11.

There remains with us only one regret. That of not being able to obey it perfectly as we wish to do on Account of the remnant of our corruption which battles against the spirit Romans 7. But all this regret does not drive us to despair but rather drives us to pray ardently to our father who strengthens us more and more Romans 8.

Did you hear that dear Christian? Struggling Christian weak Christian. Christian who like me wishes you could obey more than you do. I mean, does that drive you to despair? You don't obey like you should.

You've been a Christian for five years. Ten years thirty years fifty years. You don't obey like you should and you just you know, you're sad about it. Well, I don't think you could not be but sad about it.

But what about driving you to despair? This regret that drives to despair as Beza says he says no don't let it drive you to despair. Rather it should drive you to pray for more strength Lord. Give me more strength when it comes to obeying you think that'd be a good prayer to pray even right now Lord.

Please help me. Strengthen me to obey you more and more. Does that sound antinomian to you? Does that sound anti law to you? Does that sound like Romans 7 to Theodore Beza is a mature Christian man who prays?

I'd like to obey you more, but but I just. I just am having a hard time, but I don't want to be driven to despair. Beza goes on faith, which is the testimony of the Spirit of God crying in our hearts.

Romans 8 Indeed assures us that the curse of the law has been blotted out by the blood of Jesus Christ to whom it unites us Romans 1. Moreover the same faith also assures us that the Spirit shall conquer However long he tarries Romans 6.

And even death shall be the means of our victory. John 5 first Corinthians 15 Hebrews 2. Thus is brought to completion in us by degrees the remainder of true repentance. Which comes from true conversion?

It begins with contrition or the feeling of sin and progresses by amendment of all that is in the man visible and invisible first Thessalonians 523. That is also why we conclude that this leads every true penitent to confess his fault before him who make concerns.

That is to say before those who have been offended and even before the whole assembly of the church if that is necessary. This confession must be accompanied according to the measure in which this is possible with restitution and satisfaction.

Towards one neighbor for without this repentance can only be feigned and counterfeit. Thus it is easy to see that we do not reject but on the contrary Require as necessary to salvation the true confession, which has been ordained of God.

Nevertheless, we do we have no desire to torment consciences by our Equal or confession a u r i c u l a r auricular as it is called Which men have invented in place of true confession and repentance nor to establish toward God any other satisfaction than the whole or the sole satisfaction of Jesus Christ.

Theodore Beza. Holy Spirit chapter 4 section 30. Aren't these good doesn't make you want to go buy this. Should have a link from no compromise radio. So I get two cents for every copy sold. I'd be I'd have a dime by now.

Remember five and dime stores. Everything cost a nickel or ten cents now dollar stores. Don't even charge a dollar. They charge a dollar 25. I Haven't seen many of those stickers anymore, but I live in Massachusetts.

It was the Joe Biden stickers. Said I did that or something pointing. Do you ever see those stickers anymore where I live? I haven't seen one of those for a year or something like that. I Massachusetts by the way, we're even Republicans or Democrats the Commonwealth.

It's either, California or Massachusetts. That's where I usually am. And I only visit Florida once in a while. So we're having some kind of bi-coastal Schizophrenia, who knows? 430. That's not the time.

That's the chapter in section chapter 4 section 30 the second means which the Holy Spirit uses to enable us to enjoy Jesus Christ and Why the Lord has never been content solely with the preaching of his word.

The Sacraments as Means of Grace

Hmm. What's that gonna be? What do you mean? He's not content with the sole preaching of the word. What are the ordinary means of grace by the way the preaching of the word period? Hmm. All right. It's getting very interesting around here.

We have said that the sacraments are the other means see. We jump to conclusions don't we the other instrument by which the Holy Spirit applies to us all that is necessary for our salvation. But since by this word is generally understood all the signs by which any sacred and spiritual thing is declared to us.

It is necessary. First of all to limit the meaning of the word. Therefore we must understand that our God who is perfectly merciful in Using our very poor and miserable nature as a means to better manifest his goodness and long-suffering.

Has not been content to simply make known to us and to show us as it were from a distance. The means by which it has pleased him to save us. How do we just stop and let that settle in for a second with a sailor moment.

By which it has pleased him to save us. It pleased God to save you. No, we won't say we're pleasing in his eyes as unbelievers in Christ now that's different. But just the fact that I think some preachers and I probably have done this in the past and believe this in the past sadly into my shame.

That God was reticent to save God was hesitating. God didn't really want to. Against his better judgment when he saved people like us that kind of thinking. Using anthropomorphic language language of analogy.

By which it pleased him to save us. It pleased God to save you dear Christian. Do you think he's gonna lose you? Think he's gonna abandon you. I think it would be pleased to save you all the way to glory.

That might include include a few spankings as it were. But it pleased him to save you that's wonderful news, that's that's that's worth the whole show today, don't you think that's worth the whole show today.

It pleased him to save us. Nevertheless basic goes on even in this he uses incomprehensible gentleness and compassion in Informing us of his will through men similar to ourselves. Deuteronomy 18 greater prophet right than Moses.

Philippians 2. 2nd Corinthians 5. And what is more? Stammers so to speak with us as nurses do with their little children first. Thessalonians 2 7. Right that old baby talk quote, but I haven't memorized but Steve Meister knows perfectly when I brought it up.

He gave me the exact quote. I said I didn't want the French edition. I wanted the third edition in Latin. He stammers to speak As nurses do with their little children. But in addition to crown his infinite goodness He has willed to add to the preaching of his words certain actions which are designed to compel the most uneducated and stubborn in the world to believe more and more.

That God is not mocking them and offering them eternal life by this most wondrous means the death of his own son. And so let's say you're uneducated. I wonder if there's kind of a picture that tells a story informed by the Bible, of course.

Thus by such signs and actions All their senses are driven to consent to the doctrine of the gospel as they were already fully enjoying the salvation. Which is promised to them in the same way. We see if it is proper to make a comparison between affairs in the world and the incomprehensible goodness of God.

That when judicially the possession or ownership of something is awarded to us. Certain ceremonies and actions will be used in the act of taking possession are in the execution of a warrant. To assure us and to testify to others that such-and-such belongs to us.

Even in our civil affairs, although a lawyer has signed a contract and appended the name of the witnesses in addition to all this. The seal of the office where the contract was drawn up will be affixed.

So as to render the contract more valid and authentic. Romans 4. Well, you see where he's going here, don't you? Of course you do. Thus from the beginning our Lord was not content with announcing to Adam the grace by which he had purposed to save his church through his son.

He willed to add there to sacrifices as living figures of the future sacrifice of Jesus Christ. To strengthen the faith of the children of God in the redemption which they were awaiting Hebrews 11 then afterwards.

It's hard for me, by the way with this English afterwards towards backwards, I Don't believe it's proper English to have the S at the end in American English, but it is in British English, what do we call that the UK English?

So when I say afterwards it just strikes me as Nebraska. All right, where am I. Then afterwards renewing this covenant of grace and mercy to Abraham He added there to the sacrament of circumcision Genesis 17 finally at the time of Moses He added there to the sacrament of the Passover lamb and many other ceremonies Exodus 12.

These sacraments representing to them what Jesus Christ would accomplish in his time. That is to say all the mystery of their salvation. The Apostle declares this amply in the book of Hebrews. Now I don't like flavored coffee, that's me sipping coffee and now I know why.

Because there's only a cake up around here at the church. They were all decaf and there was a Pete's I Don't know some caramel caramel something man. It's bad. That's like the worst coffee I've ever had.

I think Pete's is fine. I like Pete's still promote Pete's Don't drink as much as I used to my friend by the way Ray Johnson who's with the Lord now a couple years he Said one year to me. And he was very supportive of no compromise radio bought all the original equipment paid for the few years that we were on the radio.

Here at WV any 760 a .m. We don't pay for Alaska. We don't pay for Montana. Sorry, Wyoming. What's the difference? But Anyway, he sent me two pounds of Pete's coffee. Every month just I was on the drop ship and he said that's your Christmas present.

So after 12 months, I thought it's over the 13th month. It came and I called him and I said, well, I've got another two pound more pounds. He said will you drink him? Well, yeah, not now I won't drink the beans, but I'll make him into coffee and then drink them and he said well I'll just let it keep going.

So I think for eight years Ray Johnson, I think it's I mean we should probably calculate that and just to see because this is kind of fun little diversion here. Just when people, you know are taught the Word of God they do nice things.

And so let's just say I think it was like thirty two dollars times twelve. So each bag was sixteen bucks. That's three hundred eighty four dollars a year times eight years. That Is three thousand and seventy two dollars worth of Pete's coffee that was sent to my house.

Oh I loved Ray not just for that, but he was generous to many people behind the scenes. We had a man and his son and his wife at this church at here at Bethany Bible Church and The wife still alive Mrs. Shepherd, but her husband Tom and her son Blake special-needs son who are both really sick and we're going to die both are in heaven now and I wanted to do something nice for the family as it's getting toward the end and I found out that they liked Helicopters never been on a helicopter that I know of and so I thought we need to have a helicopter ride for Tom and Nancy and Blake and so I Said hmm.

Who do I know that has resources to do it? So I called up Ray told him what it was. I think he said, you know, keep this on the sly. You know, don't tell anybody etc, etc arranged a helicopter ride and It was wonderful to be able to do now a side note that even makes it more special.

The day of the helicopter ride was the day of our annual church picnic. We didn't have it last year or maybe didn't have it during kovat or something. But you know, you're not allowed to go outside or in kovat might get some fresh air we Have it at a little lake and there's a beach by the lake.

And so we're all outside and it's kind of still chilly a little bit maybe and kids swimming some I usually would go in and Swim with the kids. I think I was the only adult brave enough to jump in with the kids.

And I'm glad I did that when I was 61, but now that I'm 63, I can't do it long story short. They go to the little airport they get in the helicopter, where would you like to go? Oh, let's let's fly over our house.

They live in Shrewsbury flew over the house. Where else should we go? Let's fly over the church. So they flew over the church building here in West Boylston and then they said well, there's the there's the lunch at the picnic there at the Sterling Lake called East wash a come like we used to Rent a house right there on that lake.

Wonderfully, I just was kayaking in that lake three days ago. You can tell I'm old Kim and I broke down about kayaks. The hardest part is lifting them up on top the car. Young people do it too. I know that's true.

They kayak. Yeah, they go fast and they just throw them up on the car. No problem. Plus my hands now with the arthritis. It's so I You know, my wife will hand me a can of I don't know pesto sauce and it's like I can't open it.

I have to get those little tools. Sometimes I have to use like pliers. Anyway, here's the punchline and it was all worth the wait because they flew over the picnic the lunch at Wash a come lake and they kind of did a little tilt a little turn kind of thing.

And we all were at the beach waving and smiling and crying. It was wonderful. So, I don't know if it cost him 3 ,000 for that helicopter, right? But he sent me the beats coffee. And of course, I oh he was the one by the way who said to me Mike you're gonna start a radio show.

I'll fund it. I don't want you asking for money. I'm tired of all these people at the end of the year asking for money begath ons and and Telethon's and all these others don't ask for money. I'll pay for this stuff.

Just don't ask for money if you ask for money I'm not gonna pay for it anymore. So I Don't think we've ever asked for money yet. No compromise radio. We will sell books. Of course, I guess that's somehow but you get you get something for that and I think for years I would say if you know a millionaire Then tell him about the show and we'd love to take his money.

So I've only asked money from millionaires and I've never got. I Shouldn't say that we have 11 or 12 patreon supporters 148 dollars a month something like that. So that works out. Just right because I need a little bit of money for this that and the other here I just bought a new $600 Roadcaster Pro 2, etc, etc, etc.

And some people over the years have sent little gifts in but the gift that kept on coming was $3 ,072 worth of Pete's coffee and by the way after Ray died Officiated his funeral and things like that. He wanted me to preach the gospel.

And which I did and after he died I Called his wife up and said by the way, this is an ongoing gift and you know, that's Okay, you know, we don't have to keep going. So anyway, I was doing Beza. And we were getting up to sacraments and definitions of sacraments.

But that's going to have to wait till next time because I wanted to end on a joyful note That what you do for the kingdom lasts forever and there's ways to bless people not just with money. My name is Mike Avendroth.

This is No Compromise Radio Ministry.