Summary of "O Breve Catecismo de Westminster: Perguntas 79 a 81 - Rev. Mateus Lages | Estudo Bíblico 31/01/24"
Summary of "O Breve Catecismo de Westminster: Perguntas 79 a 81 - Rev. Mateus Lages | Estudo Bíblico 31/01/24"
This Bible study session, led by Rev. Mateus Lages, focuses on questions 79 to 81 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, specifically examining the 10th Commandment: "You shall not covet." The study is part of a series on the 10 Commandments and their application in Christian life, emphasizing contentment, love, and community.
Main Ideas and Concepts
- Opening Prayer and Worship: The session begins with a prayer of thanksgiving, recognizing God’s grace, forgiveness through Christ, and the unity of believers as God's children. The prayer requests God’s guidance for fruitful study and spiritual growth.
- Psalm 16 Reading and Reflection: A responsive reading of Psalm 16 highlights verse 5: "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance," emphasizing reliance on God as the ultimate provider and portion in life.
- Context of the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
- The Presbyterian Church of Brazil uses the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism as doctrinal standards.
- The Shorter Catechism is a tool for biblical interpretation and memorization, divided into sections; the current study is in the third part (questions 39-107) focusing on Christian duty, particularly through the 10 Commandments.
- Study of the 10th Commandment (Questions 79-81):
- Question 79: What is the 10th Commandment? "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, servants, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17) It forbids covetous desires toward others' possessions or relationships.
- Question 80: What does the 10th Commandment require?
- Full contentment with one’s own condition.
- A charitable disposition toward neighbors and their belongings.
- Biblical support:
- Hebrews 13:5 – Be content and trust God’s provision.
- Psalm 23:1 – The Lord provides all needs.
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10 – Godliness with contentment is great gain; warns against greed and love of money.
- Leviticus 19:18 – Love your neighbor as yourself.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 – Love is patient, kind, and not envious.
- Question 81: What does the 10th Commandment prohibit?
- Discontent with one’s own condition.
- Envy or grief over another’s prosperity.
- Disordered desires for what belongs to others.
- Biblical references:
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 – Warning against murmuring.
- Galatians 5:26 – Avoid conceit, envy, and provoking one another.
- Colossians 3:5 – Put to death earthly desires like greed (idolatry).
- The commandment is linked to the first commandment about having no other gods, showing that covetousness is a form of idolatry.
- The Nature of Covetousness:
- Covetousness includes:
- An insatiable desire to obtain more.
- An overwhelming love for obtaining, which moves desire into action.
- Covetousness implies discontent and self-centered love rather than love for God.
- Genuine love is active and behavioral, not just verbal or emotional.
- Covetousness includes:
- Contentment and Faith:
- True contentment is rooted in faith and trust in God’s provision (Philippians 4:13).
- Covetousness and envy reveal unbelief and a misunderstanding of God’s role as provider.
- Envy leads to rivalry, confusion, and sin (James 3:16).
- The church should be free from such sins, reflecting Christ’s character.
- Self-Examination and Repentance:
- Believers should regularly examine their hearts for signs of covetousness, envy, murmuring, and discontent.
- Repentance is key, as demonstrated by King David’s example.
- Genuine faith produces fruits aligned with God’s will and leads to rejoicing with others rather than envy.
- Practical Application:
- Believers are called to be grateful and content regardless of their material or social status.
- Maintaining good relationships with others, regardless of their possessions, reflects obedience to the commandment.
- Recognize that blessings come from God, and neither wealth nor poverty defines a
Category
Educational
