How Firm Is Your Foundation? | 1 John

Lord's Day: Feb 2, 2025 Preacher: Carlos Montijo (www.thorncrown...) Topic: Law & Gospel Distinction (www.thorncrown...) Scripture: 1 John 2:27-29 (ref.ly/1%20Joh...) , 1 John 2:1 (ref.ly/1%20Joh...) , 1 John 3:7 (ref.ly/1%20Joh...) , Matthew 7:17-20 (ref.ly/Matt%20...) , 1 John 3:18 (ref.ly/1%20Joh...) , James 2:17-18 (ref.ly/James%2...) , 1 John 3:2-3 (ref.ly/1%20Joh...) , John 5:24-25 (ref.ly/John%20...)
27 And as for you, the anointing whom you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as He has taught you, abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is manifested, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming [before His presence]. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who does righteousness has been born of Him. 1 John 2:27-29
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 25 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." John 5:24-25.
The Baptist Larger Catechism, Q143: What are the outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?
A: The outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are His ordinances, particularly the Word, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer; all of which are made effectual to the elect for salvation. Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Timothy 4:16; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 5:19-20; Ephesians 6:17-18
Q144: How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A: The Spirit of God causes the reading-and especially the preaching-of the Word to enlighten,[1] convince, and humble sinners.[2] The Spirit drives sinners out of themselves and draws them to Christ;[3] He conforms them to His image[4] and subdues them to His will;[5] He strengthens them against temptations and corrupting influences;[6] and He builds them up in God’s grace[7] and establishes their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith to salvation.[8]

1. Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 26:18; Acts 17:11-12; Psalm 19:8
2. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25; 2 Chronicles 34:18-19, 26-28; Jeremiah 23:28-29; Hebrews 4:12
3. Acts 2:37-41; Acts 8:27-39
4. 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:27
5. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Romans 6:17
6. Matthew 4:4,7,10; Ephesians 6:16-17; Psalm 19:11; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Colossians 1:28
7. Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11
8. Romans 16:25; 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 10-13; Romans 15:4; Romans 10:13-17; Romans 1:16
Francis Turretin: “Christ will be the judge in that very visible nature in which he was condemned for us…. This he will do especially both for the greater consolation of the pious [believers] (who will look upon him as their defender and Advocate instead of their judge) and for the greater terror and confusion of the wicked [unbelievers, hypocrites, antichrists, etc.]… The process of the judgment is such that mention may indeed be made of good works, but not of their evil works…. The pious will not hear the publication of their sins, but the reward of their love and beneficence.” (Institutes of Elenctic Theology, 20th topic, Q. 6)
John Calvin: “...for it is impossible to think of the dreadful majesty of God without being filled with alarm [which 1 Jn 2:28 also addresses]; and hence the sense of our own unworthiness must keep us far away [i.e., “shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” That is-] until Christ interpose [intervenes, advocates, mediates], and convert a throne of dreadful glory into a throne of grace, as the Apostle teaches that thus we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16)…. Christ given to us by the kindness of God is apprehended and possessed by faith [alone], by means of which we obtain in particular a twofold benefit: first, being reconciled by the righteousness of Christ [alone], God becomes, instead of a judge, an indulgent Father; and, secondly, being sanctified by his Spirit [His anointing], we [therefore] aspire [strive] to integrity and purity of life.[23]” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, III.xx.17; III.xi.1)
The very same doctrine which Martin Luther proclaimed to...