UM EVANGELHO INCOMPLETO | SEMINÁRIO CONVERGÊNCIA 2019 - MISTÉRIO

The Incomplete Gospel: A Call for Reform

Introduction to the Message

• The speaker reflects on a previous message delivered by Eliana, emphasizing the importance of being prepared to engage with the gospel.

• The focus is on the concept of an "incomplete gospel" and how God has raised devoted individuals in Brazil to bless the nation.

Historical Context of Reformed Theology

• Approximately ten years ago, Brazilian believers began sharing videos from influential figures like John Piper, marking a shift in theological engagement among younger generations.

• The movement of Reformed theology was initially more appealing to older audiences but has seen a resurgence among youth due to changes happening in the United States.

Critique of Current Understanding

• The speaker identifies a significant issue within the Reformed movement: many teachings conclude at Christ's crucifixion rather than encompassing the full narrative of redemption and restoration.

• He argues that while forgiveness is crucial, it is not the end; true completion involves resurrection and Jesus' return to establish His kingdom on Earth.

Central Thesis on Old Testament Promises

• The central message of the Old Testament revolves around God's covenantal promises, which are foundational despite numerous sacrifices made throughout biblical history.

• Key verses such as Genesis 3, Genesis 12, and 2 Samuel 7 illustrate these pivotal promises that shape understanding of God's plan.

Fulfillment and Future Expectations

• The speaker contends that Christ's first coming did not fulfill all Old Testament promises; instead, many remain unfulfilled until His second coming. This distinction is often misunderstood within contemporary preaching.

• He emphasizes that while some aspects of the Old Covenant were fulfilled in Christ, not all elements from the Old Testament have been completed or replaced by this fulfillment.

Conclusion: Embracing Full Gospel Truth

• The notion that "it is finished" (John 19:30) refers specifically to reconciliation through Christ’s sacrifice but does not imply that all prophetic promises have been realized yet; they will be revealed over time as part of God's unfolding mystery.

• Ultimately, understanding both comings of Christ is essential for grasping the complete message of the gospel and its implications for believers today.

Understanding God's Promises and Mysteries

The Connection Between God's Mystery and Promise

• The mystery of God is closely linked to His promises, indicating that the fulfillment of this mystery will occur before Jesus returns to establish His kingdom.

• It is argued that this mystery was not fulfilled in the New Testament during Jesus' life; understanding it requires a grasp of the Old Testament's foundational messages.

Chronology of Promises in the Old Testament

• A timeline illustrates key promises made by God:

• 4,000 years before Christ: God promised Adam (Genesis 3:15) that a descendant would crush the serpent's head.

• 2,000 years before Christ: This promise was expanded for Abraham, stating that through his descendants all families on earth would be blessed (Genesis 12).

Key Aspects of God's Promises

• After 430 years from Abraham, God gave the Law. By 1,000 years before Christ, David received a specific promise regarding his lineage (2 Samuel 7), which ties back to earlier promises.

• Three basic aspects emerge from one overarching promise:

• Adamic Aspect: A military leader will arise to defeat Satan.

• Abrahamic Aspect: Abraham’s descendants will form a great nation with a specific territory.

Characteristics of the Promised Leader

• The first aspect emphasizes a general who will wage war against evil forces and triumph over them.

• The second aspect involves Abraham being called out to create a nation in Palestine where blessings would flow to all nations—this signifies reversing Eden's curse.

Davidic Promise and Its Implications

• God promised David that his son would sit on his throne forever and build a temple in Jerusalem. While Solomon is often associated with this promise, it ultimately points towards Jesus.

• This establishes an expectation for a warrior king from Israel who leads an army and reigns over a worship-centered monarchy.

Genealogy's Role in Fulfillment of Promises

• The genealogy presented at the beginning of Matthew highlights Jesus as both descendant of Abraham and David—essential for fulfilling messianic prophecies.

• Understanding these genealogical links is crucial because they validate Jesus’ role in fulfilling God's promises specifically made to those lineages.

Importance of Jewish Heritage in Messianic Claims

• Emphasizing Jesus' Jewish heritage underscores why He must be recognized as fulfilling divine promises; it's essential for preaching about Him effectively within biblical contexts.

Understanding the Messianic Hope in the New Testament

The Role of Paul and the Old Testament

• Paul explains that he aimed to prove Jesus as the Messiah, highlighting a lack of direct teachings about the Messiah in the New Testament, which are primarily found in the Old Testament.

• The New Testament does not alter the messianic hope established in the Old Testament; it simply clarifies who the Messiah is.

Promises and Law

• God made significant promises to Israel regarding their role in restoring Eden on Earth, but these promises come with conditions tied to adherence to the law.

• Paul argues that while God's promise was given freely to Abraham, it must be fulfilled through obedience to the law, which came later (430 years after). This does not nullify God's original promise.

Purpose of the Law

• The law serves as a standard for holiness and reveals sin until Christ arrives; it was never intended as a means of salvation but rather as guidance for Israel.

• Jesus' mission includes addressing Israel's inability to fulfill the law, providing forgiveness for sins so they could inhabit their land without transgression. Additionally, He writes God's law on believers' hearts through baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Consequences of Disobedience

• Disobedience leads to exile from their land; thus, fulfilling God's laws is essential for remaining in their promised territory. Jesus comes specifically to resolve this issue of disobedience among His people.

Understanding New Covenant Promises

• A new covenant is promised by God that will not include just any group but specifically addresses Israel; this distinction emphasizes that "Israel" refers directly to ethnic or national identity rather than being symbolic of a broader church concept.

• The term "Israel" consistently refers back to its historical context within scripture and does not equate with spiritual interpretations often applied by modern theology. Thus, understanding this distinction is crucial for biblical interpretation and comprehension of God’s promises.

The New Covenant and Its Implications

Understanding the New Covenant

• The speaker discusses the concept of a new covenant, referencing a biblical promise where God writes His law on people's hearts, indicating a deep spiritual transformation.

• The audience is invited to engage by asking questions about the implications of this covenant in contemporary faith practices.

• It is noted that Israel has not embraced this new covenant fully, as evidenced by their historical rejection of Jesus during His time on earth.

• The speaker emphasizes that the old covenant has become obsolete, suggesting that it no longer holds relevance for believers today.

• A discussion arises regarding whether the new covenant was fulfilled and how it relates to Jesus' declaration during the Last Supper.

The Nature of Holiness and Sin

• There is an exploration of what it means to live in holiness under the new covenant, questioning if true sanctity can be achieved without adherence to God's laws.

• The speaker critiques attitudes towards sin within modern Christianity, highlighting two responses: ignoring sin or failing to strive for righteousness adequately.

Sacrifices and Old Testament Practices

• The conversation shifts to sacrificial practices from the Old Testament, noting that such rituals are no longer necessary under the new covenant framework.

• References are made to Paul's actions in Acts concerning vows and sacrifices, illustrating a transition from old practices while still acknowledging their historical context.

Law and Grace Interplay

• A critical perspective is offered on viewing the Old Testament solely as law and the New Testament solely as grace; both elements coexist within Christian theology.

Hope in Contemporary Faith

• The speaker identifies hope as a recurring theme throughout scripture but notes its distortion in modern evangelicalism, particularly regarding political engagement and personal aspirations.

• Observations are made about young people's distorted hopes concerning marriage and career choices compared to divine expectations.

Cultural Engagement vs. Escapism

Influence of Theology on Modern Movements

• Discussion centers around movements in Brazil seeking revival through reformed theology concepts like spheres of influence but lacking understanding of foundational texts.

Critique of Triumphalist Views

• The speaker critiques triumphalism within eschatology, arguing against claims that Christians will conquer societal structures for Christ's sake.

True Calling vs. Worldly Ambitions

• Emphasis is placed on following Jesus’ example rather than pursuing worldly power or status; true victory lies in spiritual sacrifice rather than earthly conquest.

This structured summary captures key discussions from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference back to specific points made during the talk.

The Role of Hope and Salvation in Christian Faith

The Persecution of Early Christians

• The speaker emphasizes the passion for Jesus as essential for seeking truth, referencing the persecution faced by early Christians in the Book of Acts.

• There is a critique of the notion that Constantine's era marked the establishment of God's kingdom, questioning if he should be considered an apostle.

Understanding Salvation

• The speaker discusses hope as a critical element alongside faith and love, stressing that true hope must be rooted in Jesus rather than political or worldly aspirations.

• A distinction is made between being forgiven and being saved; salvation is presented as a complete state that extends beyond forgiveness alone.

Promises to Israel

• The speaker asserts that salvation for God's people is ongoing and not limited to Christ's crucifixion, highlighting unfulfilled promises from the Old Testament.

• Specific examples are given about Abraham receiving his promised land, indicating that these promises are literal and will be fulfilled upon resurrection.

Misunderstandings About Blessings

• There’s a warning against misinterpreting blessings from God; one cannot claim blessings without obedience to His commands.

• The speaker suggests that after such teachings, individuals may feel challenged to reconsider their understanding of God’s standards.

The Concept of Remnant

• Discussion shifts to Paul’s letters where he addresses whether God has rejected His people (Israel), asserting He has not.

• It is explained that throughout history there has always been a remnant within Israel who remained faithful despite widespread disobedience.

Gentiles and Inclusion in Faith

• The concept of inclusion is explored; even though Israel did not accept Jesus initially, God's plan included Gentiles as part of His mystery.

• Clarification on what it means to be a true Jew in spiritual terms versus ethnic lineage, emphasizing faith over heritage.

The Role of Faith and Identity in God's Plan

Conversion and Inclusion of Nations

• The speaker discusses the conversion of nations, emphasizing that not everyone received Jesus, but some did, allowing them to be a blessing to others.

• It is noted that God has chosen individuals from various nations, similar to a remnant within Israel, highlighting the inclusion of diverse ethnicities in His plan.

Understanding the Church's Identity

• The speaker questions where the Brazilian evangelical church perceives its role, asserting that believers are part of a remnant due to faith in Jesus rather than ethnicity or customs.

• Emphasizing that the church is distinct from Israel and other nations, it is described as "the bride," which will mature and evoke jealousy among Israel.

The Mystery of Salvation

• The discussion reveals that God's current plan involves maturing both Jewish converts and believers from various nations; this was not clearly understood before.

• Paul’s reference in Ephesians highlights that Gentiles are co-participants in one body through the gospel, indicating a new identity beyond being simply Gentiles or Israelites.

Focus on Christ's Return

• A call for believers to center their faith around Jesus' return is made, with an emphasis on longing for His physical presence as essential for true fulfillment.

• The speaker stresses that revival and ministry cannot fully satisfy without Christ's presence; thus, there should be a strong desire (Maranatha) for His return.