In this especially sobering lesson, we discussed the state of the church as a whole and what needs to be done in response. It is my prayer that this lesson blesses your heart as it has burdened mine.

Truth #1: Psychological felt need (emptiness, desperation) is necessary, but not sufficient for the reception of eternal life. Christianity is not primarily psychological, but rather volitional.

Truth #2: The only being who is intrinsically and naturally good is God; thus, preaching law is necessary to preach before grace, as only those who recognize their inherent guilt are able to recognize the graciousness of the Gospel.

Truth #3: If you do not embrace that “est in regno Dei…non est mihi” (God is on the Throne, not me), if you do not die to yourself, you cannot be saved. Submitting to the Lordship of Christ is not a secondary happening, but rather occurs when you place genuine faith in Him.