Larger For Life

WLC Question #75

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #75:

Q. 75. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.

WLC Question #74

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #74:

Q. 74. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of the free grace of God, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children, have his name put upon them, the Spirit of his Son given to them, are under his fatherly care and dispensations, admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory.

WLC Questions #72-73

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Questions #72-73:

(accompanied today by the late, Southern summer symphony of lawnmowers and cicadas, as well as some highway travel background noise)

 

Q. 72. What is justifying faith?
A. Justifying faith is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and Word of God, whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition, not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.

Q. 73. How doth faith justify a sinner in the sight of God?
A. Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God, not because of those other graces which do always accompany it, or of good works that are the fruits of it, nor as if the grace of faith, or any act thereof, were imputed to him for his justification; but only as it is an instrument by which he receiveth and applieth Christ and his righteousness.

WLC Question #71

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #71:

Q. 71. How is justification an act of God’s free grace?
A. Although Christ, by his obedience and death, did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in the behalf of them that are justified; yet inasmuch as God accepteth the satisfaction from a surety, which he might have demanded of them, and did provide this surety, his own only Son, imputing his righteousness to them, and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith, which also is his gift, their justification is to them of free grace.

(Stay tuned to the end for information on a free giveaway and how you can enter to win!)

WLC Questions #69-70

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Questions #69-70:

Q. 69. What is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?
A. The communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification, adoption, sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him.

Q. 70. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners, in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, and received by faith alone.

WLC Question #68

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #68:

Q. 68. Are the elect only effectually called?
A. All the elect, and they only, are effectually called; although others may be, and often are, outwardly called by the ministry of the word, and have some common operations of the Spirit; who, for their willful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ.

WLC Question #67

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #67:

Q. 67. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.

Special Episode: Pastoral Ministry and the new Reeder Center for Pastoral Studies // Interview with Ike Reeder

In today's special episode of Larger for Life, Derrick, Sean, and Spin sit down with Ike Reeder, who serves as the President of Birmingham Theological Seminary, a ministry of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Today, Ike discusses the recent launch of a new BTS initiative called the Reeder Center for Pastoral Studies, named in honor of the late Rev. Dr. Harry L. Reeder III, who went home to be with the Lord in May 2023. 

Join in as we talk about the vision for and goals behind this new Center for Pastoral Studies at BTS, ministry, theological formation, confessional fidelity, cultural engagement, and things that all believers ought to be mindful of as we serve the Lord in our day and age. 

Special Episode: Catechism on Mission // Interview with Aaron Halbert

In today's special episode of Larger for Life, Matt, Derrick, Nick, and Sean sit down with Aaron Halbert, who serves as a PCA missionary in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to chat about Reformed and Presbyterian missionary efforts in that nation, as well as the pivotal role of the Westminster Confession and Catechisms when it comes to worship, discipleship, evangelism, and spiritual formation. 

Join us for this good-hearted and encouraging discussion!

WLC Questions #64-66

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Questions #64-66:

Q. 64. What is the invisible church?
A. The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head.

Q. 65. What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ?
A. The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory.

Q. 66. What is that union which the elect have with Christ?
A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God’s grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; which is done in their effectual calling.

WLC Questions #62-63

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Questions #62-63:

Q. 62. What is the visible church?
A. The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children.

Q. 63. What are the special privileges of the visible church?
A. The visible church hath the privilege of being under God’s special care and government; of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto him.

WLC Question #61

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #61:

Q. 61. Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church?
A. All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the church invisible.

WLC Question #60

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #60:

Q. 60. Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?
A. They who, having never heard the gospel, know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, or the laws of that religion which they profess; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, who is the Savior only of his body the church.

WLC Questions #57-59

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Questions #57-59:

Q. 57. What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation?
A. Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption, with all other benefits of the covenant of grace.

Q. 58. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured?
A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.

Q. 59. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?
A. Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel.

(Stay tuned to the end for information on a free giveaway and how you can enter to win!)

WLC Question #56

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #56:

Q. 56. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?
A. Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great power, and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, to judge the world in righteousness.

WLC Questions #54-55

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Questions #54-55:

Q. 54. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?
A. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favor with God the Father, with all fullness of joy, glory, and power over all things in heaven and earth; and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces, and maketh intercession for them.

Q. 55. How doth Christ make intercession?
A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers; answering all accusations against them, and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons and services.

WLC Question #53

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #53:

Q. 53. How was Christ exalted in his ascension?
A. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world.

WLC Questions #51-52

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Questions #51-52:

Q. 51. What was the estate of Christ’s exaltation?
A. The estate of Christ’s exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and his coming again to judge the world.

Q. 52. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?
A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not possible for him to be held), and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life), really united to his soul, he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice, to have vanquished death, and him that had power of it, and to be Lord of quick and dead: all which he did as a public person, the head of his church, for their justification, quickening in grace, support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.

(Stay tuned to the end for information on a free giveaway and how you can enter to win!)

WLC Questions #49-50

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Questions #49-50:

Q. 49. How did Christ humble himself in his death?
A. Christ humbled himself in his death, in that having been betrayed by Judas, forsaken by his disciples, scorned and rejected by the world, condemned by Pilate, and tormented by his persecutors; having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God’s wrath, he laid down his life an offering for sin, enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross.

Q. 50. Wherein consisted Christ’s humiliation after his death?
A. Christ’s humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried, and continuing in the state of the dead, and under the power of death till the third day; which hath been otherwise expressed in these words, He descended into hell.

WLC Question #48

In this episode of Larger for Life, our hosts continue their study and discussion through the Catechism, this time examining Westminster Larger Catechism Question #48:

Q. 48. How did Christ humble himself in his life?
A. Christ humbled himself in his life, by subjecting himself to the law, which he perfectly fulfilled; and by conflicting with the indignities of the world, temptations of Satan, and infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly accompanying that his low condition.