THE GOAL OF CHRISTIAN LIVING

Lecture Outline

A. What is the “big idea” of the Christian life? (listen to .mp3 file)

 According to Luther, the essence of the Christian life is to live one’s life coram Deo.
o Coram Deo literally means “before the face of God.”
o One must live all of life openly in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and to the honor and
glory of God.
 Jesus says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
o We sin nevertheless.
o We live in the absence of God, in defiance of God, and to our own glory.
 We must press forward through those times of frustration and paralyzation in our spiritual growth.
o Often when we reach a difficult plateau, we quit.
o The only way to advance, though, is to persevere through that level of paralysis.

B. All of us are called to please God.

 “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
 The violent take the kingdom by force. (Matthew 11:12).
 The Parables of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8ff.), the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45–46), and the Prodigal Son
(Luke 15:11ff.) illustrate the importance of pressing into the kingdom of God.
 So many times we start something without ever finishing it.
 What pleases God is someone who signs up for the duration.
 According to Jonathan Edwards, “The seeking of the kingdom of God is the chief business of the Christian.”

C. Discussion Questions
 Must we feel God's presence in order to live "coram Deo"? How can we foster an awareness of God's presence?
 Why do we so often strive for spirituality and piety but not righteousness?
 Why do our enthusiasm and zeal for God's kingdom sometimes cool off? What specific things have disheartened
you as you seek God's kingdom?
 What motivates you to live a life that is pleasing to God? What should motivate you?
D. Review Quiz
1. What Latin phrase did Martin Luther use to express the "big idea" of the Christian life?
a. Extra ecclesiam nulla salus
b. Coram Deo
c. Contra mundum
d. Simul justus et peccator
2. How many Christians live all of life in the constant sense of the presence of God and do everything in submission
to the authority of God?
a. All Christians
b. Only those baptized by the Holy Spirit
c. Only a minuscule number of saints
d. No Christians
3. When Jesus says, "The kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force," what does He
mean, according to Dr. Sproul?
a. The enemies of the kingdom of God use violence to try to oppose God's reign.
b. The kingdom of Satan and the kingdom of God are locked in a violent struggle for the souls of men.
c. Those who are serious about pleasing God are not casual in their pursuit of the kingdom.
d. The kingdom of God is to be advanced on earth through the use of violent means.
4. What is the main point of emphasis in the parables of the prodigal son, the lost coin, and the pearl of great
price?
a. The growth of the kingdom of God
b. The gracious character of the kingdom of God
c. The importance of pressing into the kingdom of God.
d. The law of the kingdom of God
5. Jonathan Edwards once said, "The seeking of the kingdom of God is the chief business of all people."
a. True
b. False
6. Which of the following points was Dr. Sproul making by telling the story of Robin Hood?
a. Christians should thwart the works of false teachers.
b. Christians should seek to please Christ in His absence.
c. Christians should pursue social justice.
d. Christians should withdraw from society.
E. Answers and Explanations

1. B
Martin Luther said that we should not live life under the cover of darkness but that we should have a moment-by-
moment awareness of the presence of God in our lives. To live coram Deo is to live before the face of God, under God's
authority, and to the glory of God.

2. D
No one lives all of life with the constant sense of God's presence. No one does everything in complete submission to
God's authority or for His honor and glory. Everyone struggles to please God because everyone struggles with sin.

3. C
The kingdom of God is of such importance and worth that those who are serious about pleasing God need to pursue the
kingdom at all costs. Such people need to be like soldiers storming a battlement until they have won the victory.

4. C
Even during the difficulties of life, we need to push through our struggles and press into the kingdom of God. This is
especially true when our walk with God seems to have plateaued and when it seems that we cannot progress in our
Christian life any further.

5. B
Jonathan Edwards once said that it is the Christian's chief business to seek the kingdom of God. This pursuit of the
kingdom is a lifelong discipline, one that unbelievers cannot experience.

6. B
Just as Robin Hood served King Richard while the king was absent from England, so the Christian is called to serve Christ,
who is absent bodily from His people. Christians are called to serve the King of kings and to live for His glory and honor
until He returns to His people.