Do those also believe in the only Savior Jesus, who seek their salvation and welfare from “saints,” themselves, or anywhere else?

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 30. Do those also believe in the only Savior Jesus, who seek their salvation and welfare from “saints,” themselves, or anywhere else?

Answer. No; although they make their boast of Him, yet in their deeds they deny the only Savior Jesus;[1] for either Jesus is not a complete Savior, or they who by true faith receive this Savior, must have in Him all that is necessary to their salvation.[2]

[1] 1 Cor 1:12-13, 30-31; Gal 5:4;
[2] Isa 9:7; Mt. 23:28; Jn 1:16; Col 1:19-20, 2:10; 1 Jn 1:7

Adam ... begat a son in his own likeness

Bagster's Daily Light - February 18 - Evening

Adam ... begat a son in his own likeness.

When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 1

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. 2

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 3

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 5

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-- For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 6

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 7

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 8
______________

1 Gen 5:3;
2 Job 14:4;
3 Psa 51:5;
4 Eph 2:1,3;
5 Rom 7:14,15,18;
6 Rom 5:12,19,15;
7 Rom 8:2;
8 1 Cor 15:57

Thou art my hope in the day of evil

Bagster's Daily Light - February 18 - Morning

Thou art my hope in the day of evil.

Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster. 1

There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!" 2

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 3

As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved." To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!" 4

For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer. 5

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 6

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 7
______________

1 Jer 17:17;
2 Psa 4:6;
3 Psa 59:16;
4 Psa 30:6,8-10;
5 Isa 54:7,8;
6 John 16:20;
7 Psa 30:5

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament

The Gospel Coalition's "Preaching Christ in the Old Testament" looks like a helpful resource. It currently lists such recommended resources as workshops, interviews, books, articles, and preaching examples.

Here's an overview of the site:

When Christians understand all the scriptures as God’s Word for them, their eyes open to the incomparable beauty of the divine character. God loves us, despite how we persistently rebel against him. God stands over and against us in judgment, yet he pursues us. He has shown us the way to live in the world he graciously created, even as we ignore his perfect law. And from the beginning of all things he planned to take on flesh and dwell among us, faithfully pursuing his unfaithful servants, even unto death on the cross, so that in this death we might find eternal life.

Sadly, too many Christians jump into this story midstream. They know bits and pieces of the Old Testament—how God created the heavens and the earth, what rules he wants us to follow, how he worked through faithful believers to inflict justice on enemies. But they often fail to see how it all fits together as one story of grace from first to last, featuring God’s ultimate act of salvation in Jesus Christ. This project seeks to equip teachers so they can acquaint Christians with this story, beginning with the Old Testament. Whether you preach regularly, lead a small group, or simply want to learn more about the Bible, you’ll find resources here that will unveil the beauty of this story.

(HT: 9Marks Blog)

A habitual sight of Jesus Christ

"What is it to have Christ dwell in the heart by faith? It is to have Jesus Christ continually in one’s eye, a habitual sight of Him. I call it so because a man actually does not always think of Christ; but as a man does not look up to the sun continually, yet he sees the light of it. So you should carry along and bear along in your eye the sight and knowledge of Christ, so that at least a presence of Him accompanies you, which faith makes. — Thomas Goodwin, A Habitual Sight of Him: The Christ-centered Piety of Thomas Goodwin, ed. Joel Beeke and Mark Jones (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2009), 55

(HT: Of First Importance)

Gospel definitions

Trevin Wax has for the past three years been gathering what may be the largest number of "gospel" definitions on the Internet. "Carefully working through these definitions," he said, "helped me see the gospel as a three-legged stool, an idea that I treat more fully in Counterfeit Gospels: Rediscovering the Good News in a World of False Hope," which is scheduled to be published by Moody in April 2011.

Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” that is, Savior?

Heidelberg Catechism

~Of God the Son and our Redemption His Name

Question 29. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” that is, Savior?

Answer. Because He saves us from all our sins,[1] and because salvation is not to be sought or found in any other.[2]

[1] Mt 1:21; Heb 7:25;
[2] Isa 43:11; Lk 2:10-11; Jn 15:4-5; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Tim 2:5

God created man in his own image

Bagster's Daily Light - February 17 - Evening

God created man in his own image.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 1

Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 2

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 3

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 4

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 5

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. 6

The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 7

and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 8
______________

1 Gen 1:27;
2 Acts 17:29;
3 Eph 2:4,5,10;
4 Rom 8:29;
5 1 John 3:2;
6 Psa 17:15;
7 Rev 21:7;
8 Rom 8:17

The whole bull shall he carry forth

Bagster's Daily Light - February 17 - Morning

The whole bull shall he carry forth ...

all the rest of the bull--he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, to the ash heap, and shall burn it up on a fire of wood. On the ash heap it shall be burned up. 1

So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 2

For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 3

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 4

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 5

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 6
______________

1 Lev 4:12;
2 John 19:16-18;
3 Heb 13:11-13;
4 Phil 3:10;
5 1 Pet 4:13;
6 2 Cor 4:17

Captivated, animated, and motivated

"This story that runs from Genesis to Revelation, centering on Christ, not only richly informs our mind; it captivates the heart and the imagination, animating and motivating our action in the world. When history seems to come to a standstill in sin, guilt, and death, the prophets direct God’s people to God’s fulfillment of his promise in the new covenant." — Michael Horton, The Christian Faith (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Zondervan, 2011), 19

(HT: Of First Importance)

Evil transformed

"God did not abolish the fact of evil: He transformed it. He did not stop the Crucifixion: He rose from the dead." — Dorothy Sayers, Letters to a Diminished Church (Nashville, Tn.: W Publishing Group, 2004), 122-23

(HT: Of First Importance)

What does it profit us to know that God created, and by His providence upholds, all things?

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 28. What does it profit us to know that God created, and by His providence upholds, all things?

Answer. That we may be patient in adversity,[1] thankful in prosperity,[2] and for what is future have good confidence in our faithful God and Father, that no creature shall separate us from His love,[3] since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.[4]

[1] Job 1:21-22; Ps 39:10; Rom 5:3; Jas 1:3;
[2] Deut 8:10; 1 Thes 5:18;
[3] Ps 55:22; Rom 5:3-5, 8:35, 38-39;
[4] Job 1:12, 2:6; Ps 71:7; Prov 21:1; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Cor 1:10