RenewalCast Restoration and the New Reformation With Michael Brown
Jan 11, 2024
35:20
About the Guest(s):Michael Brown is an American pastor affiliated with the United Reformed Churches in North America and a missionary based in Milan, Italy. He pastors Chiesa Reformata Filadelfia, where he focuses on expository preaching, administering sacraments, and tending to the congregation. Brown is actively involved in evangelism, outreach, discipleship, and aims to establish the first Reformed and Presbyterian denomination in Italy. Fluent in Italian, he and his wife, along with their 17-year-old son, continue to translate and publish critical theological works to foster understanding and address prevalent societal issues from a biblical perspective.Episode Summary:In this latest edition of Renewalcast, hosts Cole Robinson and Jay Wipf engage in a profound discussion with Pastor Michael Brown, tackling the challenges and nuances of living out Christian faith amid struggles with sexual sin. With Brown's missionary insights from Italy peppering the conversation, listeners can expect an episode rich in theological depth and pastoral compassion.The dialogue delves into the new Reformation catechism on human sexuality, particularly focusing on part four - restoration. The nuanced narrative explores themes such as confession, repentance, mortification of sin, and the transformative power of Christ's obedience. As they unravel the complexities of sin and the grace of redemption, Brown emphasizes the essence of identity in Christ as a pivotal anchor for Christians. The summary encapsulates not only the theological foundation but also the necessity for community and church support, offering a comprehensive guide for anyone grappling with sexual sin while seeking to walk in purity and newness of life.Key Takeaways:
- Sexual sin, while grave, is a battle like any other sin and doesn't define a Christian's identity, which is securely found in Christ.
- Confession, repentance, and a godly sorrow that leads back to the Gospel are crucial steps for those struggling with any form of sexual sin.
- Sanctification is a lifelong process where the Holy Spirit gradually makes believers more like Christ through means such as the word, sacraments, and Christian fellowship.
- Understanding personal identity in Christ is liberating and pivotal for the Christian life, influencing family, marriage, and community engagements.
- The church is characterized as a hospital for sinners, where believers must support, not shun, each other in struggles with sin, including sexual immorality.
- "The person who comes in, into the church who is homosexual…we cannot look at that person and say, ooh, gay lesbo…We have to have a posture of humility and compassion towards one another…"
- "Our growth in sanctification really leads us to believe the Gospel more…as one Puritan put it, the pathway to holiness is paved with a good sense of our own wretchedness."
- "Everyone has a battle against sin, whether we're talking about lust…or we're talking about anger…everyone has a battle to fight because we're not glorified yet."