Dr. MacArthur finished the event with an expression of how the Church - as kingdom of God - should be identified and, then, to emphasize to our Christian community the import of such an identity. Five categories of emphasis were offered-up with the intent of Dr. MacArthur to imply (or to declare) that these were imperatives to the Church and not mere teachings.
The Church body, being a member of His Kingdom, needs to teach, and even emphasize
these five truths:
The Kingdom and the Chosen -
He is sovereign over us if we are members of the chosen community.
This reality is not subject to our approval. If we are to be members of His kingdom, then He is our sovereign King who rules over us, and we are to hear and to obey as He sees fit.
The Kingdom and substitution -
In His blood we have been bought. We are His slaves through His blood. If we deny that we are slaves, then we deny that we have been bought and our eternity is fixed, and it will not be nice.
The Kingdom and Sanctification.
Kingdom members must become fully formed in Him that He might become fully formed in us. We are to be in that process of becoming Christ-like. Simply put, we are to be internally transformed.
The Kingdom and Scripture,
The Truth is our foundation. There is one Book that contains the Truth and that is the Holy Scriptures. This is our one, and only, source of Truth.
The Kingdom and the Second Coming of Christ.
Dr. MacArthur states it thus: "The end of the story is the reason for the story."
Some Comments
First of all you will notice that I have not used any Scriptures with the above. It is not my intent to convince anyone of the truth of such claims, but, rather, to exhort our leaders to use these imperatives as a teaching and preaching module in our community - and then - to call to the attention of whomever we may have influence over with in that Christian community - that they realize the gravity of such imperatives - and especially "as we see the days approach."
I believe that our evangelical community has done a robust job in the proclamation of the fact that Christ laid His life down - and all that that means - for our salvation. He was our Substitute. Well done here for number two. However, I have not often heard of teaching/preaching on our being a called-out community. I place emphasis here on one being a called-out believer - number one - more than on one being a chosen believer. Let's stay away from that mine-field for now.
Sanctification is a word that is often heard in Church. One usually envisions a white robe with angels singing. Less often does the concept of set-apartness and being in His presence become subject-matter. This requires an effort that needs to be talked about. Being in His presence is more than a theological and intellectual belief. We are born again; we have the right to enter in to His presence which is real sanctification - but - our flesh is strong. Vigilant pursuit over a prolonged period of time is required in the denying of that flesh. Liberty and fruit-bearing awaits such efforts.
The Kingdom as Scripture has been well appreciated in our community. Dr. MacArthur took the Scriptures to be more than we usually understand, namely, that the Book is the only source of Truth in the World. I agree. Others can write and speak true things; but only the Book contains The Truth.
Finally, concerning His (soon) coming, I repeat the above quote - "The end of the story is the reason for the story." It's important, is it not?" The King is coming and we may be less prepared for that event than we think we are.
I believe that our evangelical community has done a robust job in the proclamation of the fact that Christ laid His life down - and all that that means - for our salvation. He was our Substitute. Well done here for number two. However, I have not often heard of teaching/preaching on our being a called-out community. I place emphasis here on one being a called-out believer - number one - more than on one being a chosen believer. Let's stay away from that mine-field for now.
Sanctification is a word that is often heard in Church. One usually envisions a white robe with angels singing. Less often does the concept of set-apartness and being in His presence become subject-matter. This requires an effort that needs to be talked about. Being in His presence is more than a theological and intellectual belief. We are born again; we have the right to enter in to His presence which is real sanctification - but - our flesh is strong. Vigilant pursuit over a prolonged period of time is required in the denying of that flesh. Liberty and fruit-bearing awaits such efforts.
The Kingdom as Scripture has been well appreciated in our community. Dr. MacArthur took the Scriptures to be more than we usually understand, namely, that the Book is the only source of Truth in the World. I agree. Others can write and speak true things; but only the Book contains The Truth.
Finally, concerning His (soon) coming, I repeat the above quote - "The end of the story is the reason for the story." It's important, is it not?" The King is coming and we may be less prepared for that event than we think we are.
Finally
I have obviously extrapolated - by inference - from Dr. MacArthur's five imperatives. He may disagree with some of my emphatic declarations. Apologies where that may be the case. My intent is not to declare truth; the truth is resident within his five points and not in my extrapolations.
With all of the above said, wouldn't it be more than productive if we were to exercise such teachings in our local churches. Considering the World-conditions as they are (and they are in a godless plunge downwards) it seems more than wise to actively pursue such as the above - and to do so with a prolonged effort - in order that His community be better prepared for that day.
