{"id":31164,"date":"2022-09-10T15:19:27","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:19:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/8-theological-terms-everyone-in-your-church-should-know\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:19:27","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:19:27","slug":"8-theological-terms-everyone-in-your-church-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/8-theological-terms-everyone-in-your-church-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Theological Terms Everyone in Your Church Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Danylo Suprun photo – Unsplash<\/div>\n

By Mary Wiley<\/em><\/p>\n

Theological instruction within discipleship relationships should be an emphasis within our churches, seeking to build doctrinally sound followers of Christ who both know God rightly and worship God rightly.<\/p>\n

Findings in the Lifeway Research 2020 State of Theology study paint a picture of a terribly anemic and atrophied understanding of the truth of Scripture in the United States.<\/p>\n

As the view of God\u2019s holiness is shaded by a largely nonchalant view of sin and Jesus\u2019 deity is dismissed, the need for theological teaching becomes terrifyingly clear.<\/p>\n

Many of the people in our pews don\u2019t realize they don\u2019t believe the gospel as secured by Christ or the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as revealed in Scripture.<\/p>\n

There are members of our churches whose lives aren\u2019t surrendered to the work of a triune God, but who have created God in their own image, allowing their idols to inform their understanding of what\u2019s true.<\/p>\n

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The solution to this problem is theology\u2014or the study of God\u2014and a continued call to the gospel message of repentance and surrender.<\/p>\n

In addition to teaching the cornerstones of our faith like doctrines surrounding the Trinity, Christology, redemption, and Scripture, below are eight additional key terms we should be teaching.<\/p>\n

In reference to God\u2019s attributes:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. Omnipotent<\/strong><\/h3>\n

God has all power. He can do anything and is in control of all things. We serve a God who is second to none and who cares for us like only a Creator can.<\/p>\n

2. Omniscient<\/strong> <\/strong><\/h3>\n

God is all knowing. Nothing catches Him by surprise. He never sleeps, and there\u2019s nothing He doesn\u2019t know or does not have dominion over.<\/p>\n

Knowledge lives at our fingertips today, but only God is all-knowing and powerful enough to do something about all of the public and secret truths He knows.<\/p>\n

When global news overwhelms or the hidden elements of our lives are trying, we can rest in God\u2019s omniscience and power over all.<\/p>\n

3. Omnipresent<\/strong><\/h3>\n

God is present in all places and at all times. This should be immensely comforting for us, knowing there\u2019s no triumph or valley we may walk through without His presence.<\/p>\n

In reference to understanding the Truth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

4. General Revelation<\/strong> <\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is God\u2019s revelation of Himself in creation. This is indirect information about God rather than a clear view of the gospel message.<\/p>\n

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See also  What Sparks Evangelical Generosity? Discipleship<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Although this may lead to a view of God\u2019s vastness or His incredible workmanship, outside of an understanding of Christ crucified and resurrected, this is not salvific revelation. <\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Special Revelation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is God\u2019s revelation of Himself in the living Word\u2014Jesus and the written Word, Scripture. This revelation leads to a sinner\u2019s need for repentance and salvation, with Jesus as the Messiah who did something about our sin.<\/p>\n

In reference to salvation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

6. Justification<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the act of God based on Christ\u2019s death on the cross in which a sinner is declared righteous by the transfer of Christ\u2019s righteousness. This occurs at the moment of surrendering to Christ.<\/p>\n

7. Sanctification<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Unlike justification, sanctification is not a single moment, but every moment from surrendering to Christ until you see Jesus face to face.<\/p>\n

Sanctification is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus. It is often non-linear, and there can be seasons of feast and seasons of famine, but the general direction of sanctification is growth.<\/p>\n

8. Glorification<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the last stage of the salvation process which will take place when Christ returns and our bodies are resurrected, our souls reunited with them, and we are perfected into the image of God.<\/p>\n

This is a coming hope of the Christian life, that we will be glorified and in the presence of God perfectly for all of eternity.<\/p>\n

The beauty of theology is this: The deeper our knowledge of God and the things of God, the deeper our worship and surrender runs. May we be a people committed to the truth of God\u2019s Word, not only knowing it, but living it.<\/p>\n

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Mary Wiley<\/h2>\n

@marycwiley<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Mary is the author of Everyday Theology: What You Believe Matters<\/em>, holds an MA in theological studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and works for B&H Publishing Group. She and her husband, John, have two children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n