This is the fifth installment of our series on the PBF Identity Statement. We now continue by considering how our being God-centered, Bible-focused, and Gospel-driven should shape our teaching. On this issue the identity statement reads:
“OUR TEACHING holds high the Word of God. Our sermons consists of deep, expositional preaching through books of the Bible with a pointed gospel-focus. Our various teaching ministries value text-driven theology over theological systems, kingdom-prioritized application over man-centered pragmatism, and growth in love for God in Christ over mere growth in knowledge. Our biblical counseling ministry uses God’s Word alone—no human wisdom or philosophy—to help people to apply gospel truths to all matters of life and godliness and to grow in their love for the Lord.”
Expositional Preaching. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul reveals what the Word is and does: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” In the very next verses, he explains what this should mean methodologically: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word…” (2 Tim 3:16-4:2a). Therefore, our normal mode of teaching in the Sunday morning worship service is the passage-by-passage, verse-by-verse exposition of books of the Bible. Whatever book we are studying, we read the next passage, then listen as that passage is explained in its context and applied to life. The passage is mined as deeply as time constraints will allow.
As I worship via the reception of the preached Word, I should consider…this is God’s very Word, authoritative for my life, worthy of my attention and obedience, and vital to my growth and eternal joy.
Biblical Counseling. Our confidence in the power of God, the sufficiency of His Word, and the transformative nature of the gospel leads us to a very particular method of counseling (Eph 3:20-21; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Cor 3:18). The Word of God saves and sanctifies (Rom 10:13-17; John 17:17). That is, through the Christ of the Bible we have been granted all that we need to address any issue of life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3-4). Further, the ministry of this Word has been entrusted to the body of Christ (Romans 15:14; Eph 4:12-13). Therefore, all of our counseling needs are met by our own counselors trained to help others understand and apply the Word of God to their particular situations.
When we are stuck in a particular issue in our sanctification, we should consider…God’s Word is sufficient to handle this, my fellow members of the body are a gift to me in ministering that Word to this issue, and I must ask for help, trusting in God’s design for my deliverance.
Text-Driven Theology. The Bible is a big book written by dozens of Holy Spirit-inspired men. Its storyline spans several thousand years, moved along by the administration of numerous covenants, revealing the plan and work of an infinite God to redeem His fallen creatures. It is an enormous work, the subject matter of which seems endless. The temptation to simplify and systematize is overwhelming. Some theological systems (for example, covenant theology or dispensationalism) may be helpful in helping us to understand how the Bible fits together. However, an overcommitment to a theological system can lead to missing what the text teaches. Our theology—what we believe about God—must be driven by the text itself, rather than systems. Our systems should be controlled by the text, not the other way around.
As I am confronted with things difficult to understand in the Scriptures, I should consider…the text, not my system is authoritative. What does the text say? If this text—rightly interpreted—will not fit my system, my system needs to changed, not the Word.
Kingdom-Prioritized Application. Our fallen tendency may be to use the Scriptures to find the most efficient way to actualize our culturally-driven dreams and ambitions. However, if God is the center of all things, the Bible is His Word, and in it He has put forth the proclamation of the gospel as His great mission, our application of Scripture should likewise have His kingdom at the center. The “action points” of our teaching will look less like the self-help section of the local bookstore, and more like the practical, kingdom-building exhortations of the apostles as written in the New Testament.
As I seek to apply God’s Word, I should consider…am I treating the Bible like a self-help tome for the 21st-century suburbanite? Or a timeless manual for building the kingdom of God in a world of spiritual opposition?
Growth in Love. Teaching that truly has God in the center will lead to a growth in knowledge, but it will not terminate there. Rather, growth in knowledge should result in greater love for God and man. Indeed, this is the thrust of the whole law of God and the defining characteristic of the church (Mark 12:30-31; John 13:35). Therefore, as we press deeper and deeper into the Word of God, our aim should be pressing deeper and deeper into the heart of God that we might grow in love.
As I increase in knowledge, I should consider…do I love the Lord more as a result of what I have learned? Do I love the lost more? The church more?
As we derive our teaching and theology from the pages of Scripture, may the Lord use it to bring our priorities and affections in line with His!
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