Sermon 38, Job 10:1-7
How do we teach the gospel? Especially how are children exposed to the good news? How was I taught in Sunday School? “God loves you” is likely the main initiative, followed by “you’re unique” or “you can do whatever you set your heart on.”
Calvin’s Sunday School is different. Refreshingly honest. Here are some quotes from today’s sermon to illustrate what I mean:
“…for man must be his own judge and condemn himself if he is to be forgiven by God.”
“Men must know themselves and be advised of their weaknesses…”
And then there is this doozy:
“Does he [God] not want each person to hate himself when he sees he is the way he is?”
Ooof. I’ve never seen that on a motivational billboard. “Hey kids, God wants you to hate yourself!” Where was that teaching when I was a little boy!
Why this message? Calvin answers:
“So let us acknowledge our vices, but after acknowledging them, let us seek their remedy.”
“…it is impossible for God not to be against evil, for it is his nature to hate it.”
“Therefore, because God is the Judge of the world, he must chastise every evil thought and deed.”
So we see that today the Gospel is taught with love, compassion and grace first. But for Calvin it was corruption, self-awareness, self-loathing, justice, and then grace. I think the latter makes more sense. I need God, God doesn’t need me.
In closing, I notice that, like yesterday, these four attributes of God are used by Calvin and must be top of mind: power and righteousness, goodness and wisdom.
Also again, I am noticing the use of the word “confusion” and “confused state” to describe the world.
This sermon is very much about self-examination. Affliction, Calvin says, is used to take the knowledge and sight of our sins and elevate our awareness such that we feel those sins.