The Key of the Preaching of the Gospel
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 5/25/2014 PM |
Text: | Matthew 16; Lord's Day 31 |
Psalters: | 10, 351, 149, 139 |
- The concept.
- Our Lord uses a figure of speech concerning a walled city with closed gates, locked and unlocked by keys.
- The keys unlock and open in order to admit or to put out; or to lock in order to keep out or keep in.
- The spiritual reality is called “the kingdom of heaven.”
- Jesus is the Head of the church, its King and the Door (John 10:9).
- Only He knows who are the citizens of the kingdom: given to Him in election and the ones for whom He died.
- Thus He holds the keys (Isa. 22:22 with Rev. 1:18; 3,7,8).
- Christ exercises the keys through the instrumentality of the Apostles and the elders (Matt. 18:18; John 20:23; Heb. 13:17).
- The Apostolic authority was transferred to the elders they ordained in every city.
- The authority of elders is implied is a few ways.
- The keys exercise a spiritual (not a physical) power by pronouncing what the Bible teaches.
- Our Lord uses a figure of speech concerning a walled city with closed gates, locked and unlocked by keys.
- The key of the faithful preaching of the pure doctrines of the gospel.
- The primary task of the elders is to watch over the spiritual well-being of the souls of the congregation by the preaching.
- Preaching is the authoritative proclamation of the truth of God’s Word.
- The content of the preaching is that found in Scripture.
- The nature of the preaching is that it must be believed and obeyed.
- The power of this key is that it opens and shuts the kingdom of heaven (Canons III,IV – 17).
- Because the key is spiritual (not physical), so its power is spiritual: the simple explanation of what the Word teaches.
- God alone forgives and condemns, and all the church does is declare the character of those forgiven and not forgiven.
- Christ works the experience of being drawn in those who hear, while others are offended by the Word.
- God begins, continues, and perfects His work of grace by means of the preaching of the gospel (Canons V - 14).
- God uses the hearing and reading of His Word, along with the meditation thereon to works His undeserved love in us.
- He uses the exhortations, threatenings, and promises of the gospel as His means to speak and prick us.
- In this world the church must be as a fortress.
- We need a strong gate (faithful preaching) and good watchmen/guards (faithful elders and preachers).
- We must attend to the faithful preaching with all readiness of mind.
- Because the key is spiritual (not physical), so its power is spiritual: the simple explanation of what the Word teaches.