April 23, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we look at the last three paragraphs of WCF Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof. We especially touch on the topics of civic righteousness among unbelievers, the remaining corruption in the regenerate, and the guilt and punishment that every sin brings.

April 16, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we primarily focus on the doctrine taught in Chapter 6 Paragraph 3 of the WCF. We give special attention to original sin and the transmission of guilt, death, and corruption to all of those who are "in Adam." We discuss the unique role of Adam (not Adam and Eve) in the Fall and in what way he serves as our head (seminal v. federal). Further, we look at how Christ was kept free from the stain of original sin. We close our lesson by examining paragraph 4, which clearly explains the doctrine of Total Depravity and how that practically affects each one of us. In our discussion we broach the topic of civic righteousness and how it is that unbelievers are not as bad as they could be and frequently appear to do good works.

April 09, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we work through the first two paragraphs of WCF Chapter 6: "Of the Fall of Man, Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof"

6.1 - Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. This their sin God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.

6.2 - By this sin they fell from their original righteousness, and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.

Providence

April 02, 2025 - James Lynch

In our final lesson on Providence we discuss how God uses what we perceive as dark or strange providences to discipline us, bring us to repentance, and make us rely more fully on Him. We also look at how sometimes God uses the same means to bring some to salvation and others to damnation; and how God's Providence is specially directed to the good of His Church.

Providence

March 26, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we continue our study of Providence by going through paragraphs three and four of WCF chapter five. First, we look at what it means for God to work without, above, and against means. Then we examine how God's Providence extends to sin, even though He is not the author of sin itself.

Providence

March 19, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we begin our study of the doctrine of Providence by working through the first two paragraphs of Westminster Chapter 5.
"I. God the great Creator of all things does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.

II. Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, He orders them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently."

The Law of God in our Hearts

March 12, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we finish our study of the doctrine of Creation as taught in chapter four of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Specifically, we focus on what it means for all men to have the law of God written on their hearts.

March 05, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we continue our study of chapter 4 of the Westminster Confession of Faith by working through much of paragraph 2: After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after His own image; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfill it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.

February 26, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson, we begin our study of chapter 4 of the Westminster Confession of Faith by working our way through paragraph 1: "It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days; and all very good."

February 19, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we look at the eighth and final paragraph of WCF Chapter 3: "Of God's Eternal Decree." We give special attention to assurance of salvation and why the doctrine of election should be a great comfort to all those who sincerely obey the gospel.

February 05, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we continue our walk through chapter 3 of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Specifically we focus on paragraphs 6 and 7 and begin looking at paragraph 8. We highlight God's decree not only of the end of our salvation but also the means by which He accomplishes this. We also give attention to God's justice in ordaining some sinners to destruction, and revisit the topic of God withdrawing His offer of grace from some.

January 22, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we look at the truth that God has not only elected the Church as a corporate body, but that He has elected each and every one of His children as individuals. Then, we examine how our election, and indeed all of our salvation, is "in Christ" and "unto glory."

January 15, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we look at paragraphs 2 and 3 of WCF chapter 3 ("Of God's Eternal Decree"). We give special attention to what it means for some men to predestinated unto everlasting life while others are foreordained to everlasting death.

January 08, 2025 - James Lynch

In this lesson we begin our study of God's Eternal Decree. WCF 3.1: God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.

The Trinity (Continued)

December 18, 2024 - James Lynch

In this lesson we examine the historical development of the doctrine of the Trinity. We look specifically at what it means for the Son to be begotten of the Father and the Spirit to proceed from the Father and the Son. As part of this discussion we look at the heresy of Arianism as well as the the Filioque controversy. Finally, we look once more at how the truth of God being Triune affects our everyday lives.

The Trinity (Continued)

December 11, 2024 - James Lynch

In this lesson we continue our study of the Trinity and especially focus on the following: 1) the Son is God and is a unique person of the Trinity; 2) the Spirit is God and is a unique person of the Trinity; 3) Is God being Triune essential to our salvation?; and 4) How does God as Trinity affect our life?

The Trinity

December 04, 2024 - James Lynch

Most Loving

November 20, 2024 - James Lynch

Bible Text: Exodus 34:6-7

Most Holy, Most Free, Most Absolute

November 06, 2024 - James Lynch

Almighty, Most Wise, Working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory

October 30, 2024 - James Lynch

Immense, Eternal, Incomprehensible

October 23, 2024 - James Lynch

The Immutability of God

October 16, 2024 - James Lynch

Bible Texts: James 1:17; Malachi 3:6

The Doctrine of God

October 09, 2024 - James Lynch

Of Holy Scripture

October 02, 2024 - James Lynch

September 25, 2024 - James Lynch

In this teaching we look at the two introductory letters to the Westminster Standards and how they correctly identify the problems we're facing today and provide the biblical solution.

September 18, 2024 - James Lynch

This is the second week of our Wednesday night teaching series on the Westminster Confession of Faith. We continued our study of the background leading up to the confession being written and an overview of the Westminster Assembly's work.