Intentional Relationships WATC

The church seeks to build intentional relationships with believers to help each other grow and with unbelievers to share the gospel with them sooner rather than later.  This lesson and post explore what “intentional relationships” mean and look like in the church body.

To help each member understand what new members and every member is committing to when they join Trinity Baptist Church, this week’s lesson and last week’s lesson, Meaningful Membership, reviewed the two weeks of the New Members class.

Two main parts of the second week of membership are (1) two initial requirements of church membership – salvation and baptism and (2) BAPTIST acrostic that explains some distinctive beliefs.

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY:  The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God. (2 Tim. 3:16‑17, 2 Tim. 3:16-4:2) 

AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH:   (Col. 1:18; 2 Cor. 8:1-5,19,23)

PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER:  Every believer has direct access to God. (Rev. 1:5‑6, Heb. 10:19, 1 Tim. 2:5)

TWO ORDINANCES:  Baptism by immersion and The Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41,47, 1 Cor. 11:23‑31)

INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY:  Every believer can distinguish truth from error through the teaching of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (1 John 2:20, 27; 1 Cor. 2:12)

SAVED CHURCH MEMBERSHIP (Acts 2:41, 47)

TWO OFFICES:  Elder and Deacon (Phil. 1:1, I Tim. 3:1‑13).  There is a Plurality of Leadership – Never CEO.

Each member of the church plays an important role in the life of one another because each member is a part of the body of Christ.  In The Gospel Primer, Milton Vincent captures this reality with the following statement “The more I comprehend the full scope of the gospel, the more I value the church for which Christ died, the more I value the role that I play in the lives of my fellow-Christians, and the more I appreciate the role that they must be allowed to play in mine.”

This intentionality is made known in the many "one another" commands.  Many of these commands can be found at www.challies.com/articles/one-another-the-bible-community/

Hebrews 10:24 and 25 tell us to meet together.  This spurring one another towards love and good deeds and encouraging one another needs to happen all throughout the week, not just Sunday morning.  It is not passively showing on Sunday mornings.  It is intentionally building relationships with others 

These intentional relationships are built on Sunday mornings, other regular meeting times, special events, and throughout the week. 

These intentional relationships are built on different levels.  There are deep personal relationships, friends, and acquaintances.

A helpful intentional relationships resource is www.crossway.org/articles/building-a-culture-of-spiritually-intentional-relationships/, which contains four P’s that can lead to persistent cultural change.  You can talk about how each of these can help grow intentional relationships.

DISCIPLESHIP & EVANGELISM THREAD:

Church members seek to build intentional relationships with believers to help each other grow and with unbelievers to share the gospel with them sooner rather than later

Upcoming Classes

10/01      Ministries of the Church
10/08      75th Celebration
10/15      Prayer & the Church
10/22      The Bible & the Church
10/29      Preaching & the Church
11/05      Leadership & the Church
11/12      Discipline & the Church
11/19      The Gathering of the Church 

For every We Are the Church post, click HERE

Meaningful Membership WATC

The first part of the Meaningful Membership and Intentional Relationship class reviews the two weeks of membership class.

One of the first questions in the membership class is, “Why should one join a church?”

While there are multiple answers, here are two answers Pastor Brett shares with potential members. 

Membership means something.

True believers have been brought into the family of God.

The Bible does not talk about church membership.  However, it does talk about submission.  Submission to God and to one another.

In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul writes to the church, not the individual.  He tells “all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons” (1:1) how to live. 
Be of the same mind, united in spirit, intent on one purpose, do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, humbly consider another as more important than themselves, and don’t look out for your own interests but also for the interests of others. 
What a submission list.

We live this way because of who Jesus is and what He has done

In the church, this submission is made...
physically (gathering with church family on Sunday and throughout the week),
geographically (giving members access to me for discipleship and hospitality),
socially (Our strongest relationships should encourage us to grow in Christlikeness.  We should have friends outside of our comfort zone.),
financially (voluntary, sacrificially, for God’s glory),
ugliness (We tend only to want to submit to people or organizations if they are perfect or support our desires.)

Most of the N.T. was given to the church to be applied in the community, not individually.  Even Paul's letter to Timothy is written "so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God.”  (1 Tim. 3:15) 

We have brochures on various aspects of life at Trinity Baptist Church.  One of these brochures is “What does it mean to be a church member?” brochure.  It states that the church is a community of believers committed to growing together in godliness and testifying corporately about Jesus Christ to a fallen world.

This is done by...
- Protecting sound doctrine
- Pursuing unity in the church
- Promoting church purity
- Participating in the church
- Providing for the church 

During the class time and hopefully outside of the class time, talk to others about how God has used the church, saved people to help you grow in godliness.  Remember, God can and does use specific ministries at specific times in the life of a church.  Ultimately membership is about a commitment to be used by God in the lives of others and to allow others to be used by God in your life.

To read more about meaningful membership, check out https://www.9marks.org/answer/what-meaningful-membership/

DISCIPLESHIP & EVANGELISM THREAD:

One part, and the key part, of Meaningful Membership is that members are saved, they understand the importance of salvation, and because of this, they desire to see others saved.

9/24        Intentional Relationships
10/1        Ministries of the Church
10/08      75th Celebration
10/15      Prayer & the Church
10/22      The Bible & the Church
10/29      Preaching & the Church
11/05      Leadership & the Church
11/12      Discipline & the Church
11/19      The Gathering of the Church 

Urban Legends of Theology by Michael Wittmer has a section (216-217) very much connected with this week's lesson - "The Bible doesn't teach church membership."

The New Testament does not command Christians to join a local church, probably because it did not need to. What New Testament follower of Jesus would refuse to join his body?  On the day the church began, 3,00 people believed and were baptized and added to the church. In the ensuing days, "all the believers were together," and "every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved" (Acts 2:41-47). This pattern of believing and joining the church continued throughout the book of Acts. Is it possible to believe in Jesus and not belong to his local assembly? Maybe, but it never occurred to an apostle that anyone would, If someone refused baptism and membership in a local assembly, they would be counted as a genuine believer. The church assumed everyone who was baptized by the Spirit had by that baptism, become a member of the body of Christ.  They belonged (1 Cor 12:12-13).° 

We do not know how the New Testament church kept track of its members (did they keep membership rolls?), but there are several Scriptures that assume they had them. Paul tells Christians directly, "Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it" (v. 27). The New Testament church held elections for deacons and to send men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 6:1-4; 15:22). Surely, they knew who had a vote and who did not. Membership is also required for church discipline. Jesus said if our offending brother will not listen to our rebuke, we should "tell the church" (Matt 18:15-17). How do we tell the church if we do not know who belongs to the church? If our erring brother does not repent, Paul said we must "remove the evil person from among [us]" (1 Cor 5:13). How do we remove a person from among us if we do not know who counts as us? Paul said God judges those outside the church and we judge those inside, so when we evict people from membership, we are leaving them to the judgment of God (vv. 12-13). How do we do this without a clear boundary between those inside and outside the church?

 Finally, God says the elders of the church are responsible for the people under their care. They must "be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God" (Acts 20:28). They "will give an account" to God for how well they kept "watch over your souls" (Heb 13:17). If they "shepherd God's flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly," they "will receive the unfading crown of glory" when Jesus returns (1 Pet 5:1-4). The elders are not responsible for everyone, or even every Christian. They are responsible for the people in their flock, which assumes they know who is a member of their church and who is not. 

New Testament Christians could not imagine uniting with Jesus but not his church. Neither should we.

For every We Are the Church post, click HERE

Surgery Day Hope Reminder

 

We have been reminding Josiah, and ourselves, that this senior year injury reminds us of some important, basic truths.

It is not everything.  It is not a defining event.

It is not nothing. It is a significant event in his life.

It is something.  God is using this for His glory in Josiah’s life.  

This is part of a devotional I read to Josiah before his shoulder surgery. While we are disappointed that he will miss sports for a big chunk of his senior year.  We are praying that his, and our, hope in God will continue to grow.

 “Hope:  Living Confidently in God”  by John Crotts The verse is Psalm 62:5

“The fact that we have to wait on God is not accidental. It is not a delay. He designs times of waiting, using them to build our patience and to strengthen our hope. When God’s children patiently expect him to bring the help they need, it shows God that they recognize their dependence on him and trust him to come through.”

“God’s timing also has purposes beyond you. Have you considered God may be delaying the answer to your prayer so that your testimony of waiting (prolonging your active hope) on him can help someone else who is watching?”

“Although you don’t have access to God’s calendar, you can know his heart as revealed in his Word. Your hope for God’s good work in future events is just as sure as all God has accomplished in the past. Until God finishes his plan, you must wait for him—but you can know for certain that God’s sovereign plan is good and wise. Waiting upon him is never in vain. He will always come through. He will deliver on every one of his promises. Your godly desires will be satisfied, according to God’s perfect will and in God’s perfect timing.”

Intro WATC

For every We Are the Church post, click HERE

As we dig even deeper into the Biblical idea of the church in general and what Trinity Baptist Church does and why, let's look at some primary reasons for doing this topic (We Are the Church) this way (in our Deacon Care Groups). 

“We Are the Church” is the Adult Christian Education everyone will be doing this fall because we must constantly be reminded of who we are and what we should be about.  In the “Theology Matters” study this summer, Zach shared this one-sentence explanation of the church.

The church is the assembly of believers who regularly meet together across the whole world, glorifying God by obeying His Word and discipling one another in the unity that comes through Christ Jesus.

As we begin this study on September 10, two ideas will be repeated throughout the entire series. 

1. The church is a specific group of people – saved people.  
2. This group of people is focused on the glorification of God.  Two ways we do this are through helping and equipping believers to grow in the Gospel & sharing the Gospel with those who need to be saved

In the first week of every membership class, Pastor Brett shares some incorrect ideas about the church.

The church is not a club, a voluntary organization, or a service provider
The church is not a meeting time.  There are times when the church gathers.
The church is not a building.  There may be a designated place where the church meets together.

What does the Bible say the church is?  God's word contains several different images to explain what the church is.

In Ephesians 5:22-23, the church is called a bride. 

In 1 Timothy 3:14-15 and Romans 8:15-17, 29-30, the church is a family. 

In Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:13; and Ephesians 4:11-12, the church is a body. 

 

 

In Ephesians 2:19-22, the church is a building. 

 

In Acts 20:28-32, the church is a flock.

The church of God must live according to God’s plan in dependence upon God’s power for God’s glory.

Ephesians 4:11-16 shows us that God provided apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers for equipping the saints.  This is a familiar passage about the purpose of the church and church leaders and will be referenced in several different lessons.

Read through this passage and look for result statements.

God's plan for individual believers and his church is spiritual growth.

As you think about this week's lesson and look ahead to next week's lesson, "Meaningful Membership,"  plan to grow as an individual and as a church.

Additional Resources
https://www.challies.com/articles/whats-the-purpose-of-the-church/

DISCIPLESHIP & EVANGELISM THREAD:

The church's purpose is to glorify God, and the two main ways we do this are through helping and equipping believers to grow in the Gospel & sharing the Gospel with those who need to be saved.

Lesson Schedule

9/10        Introduction
9/17        Meaningful Membership
9/24        Intentional Relationships
10/1        Ministries of the Church
10/08      75th Celebration
10/15      Prayer & the Church
10/22      The Bible & the Church
10/29      Preaching & the Church
11/05      Leadership & the Church
11/12      Discipline & the Church
11/19      The Gathering of the Church

For every We Are the Church, click HERE

We Are the Church

For every We Are the Church post, 

including the most recent lesson's post,

click HERE

On September 10, Trinity Baptist Church will begin its Fall Adult Christian Education (ACE) class.  Instead of the three or four different classes, we will have three groups doing the same study, "We are the Church."  

This continues to build on our one combined summer study, "Theology Matters."  One specific lesson was "What is the Church?"  Zac Harmon did a great job of teaching that lesson. Still, as we think about the details of the community that is our church family, it is essential to understand what the church, universal - around the world and local - here at Trinity Baptist Church is.  

In our study of "We are the Church," we will be digging even deeper into the Biblical idea of the church in general and what Trinity Baptist Church specifically does and why.

Two ideas that will be emphasized throughout the study will be the following.
The church is a specific group of people - saved people.
The church's focus must be the glorification of God.  Two ways we do this are through spiritual growth and sharing the Gospel.

While the main reason for this study is the importance of the church in God's plan.  A secondary reason is to get to know your church family as we are reminded of the church.  In the groups, people will be sharing testimonies and praying together.  The three groups are based on the deacon care groups, and each group will be taught a very similar class. The Red Group will be meeting downstairs in Room #3.  The Green Group will be meeting in the Fireplace Room.  The Blue and Yellow Groups will be meeting in the chapel.  

Plan to join your Deacon Care group starting September 10.

• The Red Group will be meeting in Room 3 downstairs.
• The Green Group will be meeting in the Fireplace Room.
• The Blue and Yellow Groups will be meeting in the Chapel.

Remember the purposes of this study

• Grow in an understanding of what the church is - universal and local (Trinity Baptist Church)
• Grow in our love for and knowledge of people in our deacon care group
• Remember who we are and what we do so we can focus on the main thing.

Lesson Schedule

9/10        Introduction
9/17        Meaningful Membership
9/24        Intentional Relationships
10/1        Ministries of the Church
10/08      75th Celebration
10/15      Prayer & the Church
10/22      The Bible & the Church
10/29      Preaching & the Church
11/05      Leadership & the Church
11/12      Discipline & the Church
11/19      The Gathering of the Church

2023 Fall Kickoff

Sunday morning, September 3, was our Fall Kick-Off time.

Eating donut holes, drinking some orange juice, cider, and coffee

and even more so

sharing about and praying for many exciting opportunities to learn and grow
together and personally

during this school year.

 

ACE (Adult Christian Education) Fall Class

Middle School & High School Youth Group

TBC KIDZ Fall Update

Small Groups @ TBC

AWANA Registration

To Connect with Missionaries & Ministries,
Contact Pastor Jason

Some Personal Growth Resources

School Year Bible Reading Plan

Fighter Verses Bible Memory Plan

 

What are End Things?

Eschatology - What are the end things?

Pastor Brett's sermons on this topic:

• Intro to Eschatology - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/04-03-16PT59.mp3
• The Judgement of Christ - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/04-17-16PT60.mp3

Short Statement  (TBC doctrinal statement): 

We believe that the day is imminent when the Lord Jesus Christ will descend from heaven and we who are in Christ, weather living or dead, will be caught up (“raptured”) to meet Him in the air to be with Him forever; that at His second coming He will put all of His enemies under His feet and consummate His kingdom reign on the earth for all eternity.  We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.

Key Thoughts

• Return of Christ is Imminent
• Judgement is real and every knee will bow.
• Heaven is real – New Heaven and New Earth
• Hell is real

Why is it Vital to our Daily Lives:

• Life is more than the here and now but what we choose here and now determines where we spend eternity.

Here are some specific thoughts from Sunday's class time.  HERE is a link to the PowerPoint

• In the Christian life we have a PRESENT PEACE and a FUTURE HOPE.
• Why study eschatology (end things)
1. It is a key element of our story as Christians.
2. Prophecy is an important part of the Bible
3. Christians are interested in a look at future events.
4. Christians can be motivated to godly living through eschatology.
5. It gives us perspective in a troubled world.
6. It's a warning to the unbeliever.
• The word "dispensation" refers to an interpretation of Scripture that places the events of Scripture into seven dispensations, or time periods, in biblical history.
1. innocence (Adam and Eve)
2. conscience (Adam to flood)
3. human government (Noah to Babel)
4. promise (beginning with Abraham)
5. law (Exodus through Christ's death)
6. grace (current age of grace)
7. kingdom (Millennial kingdom)

Chapters of Urban Legends of Theology by Michael Wittmer connected to this doctrine:  
We Will Live Forever in Heaven (Ch. 40)

Hope in God

I want the theme of my life and work to be HOPE!

Psalm 42 HOPE

In every circumstance, easy or hard, good or bad, I need to hope in God.
On July 16, I had the privilege of preaching a sermon on Psalm 42 entitled "An Old Hope."
The preparation for the sermon was so helpful in my own life.  In preaching the sermon, I used the word "hope" over 70 times.  However, it is my prayer that, even more than repeating the word "hope" that many times, those who hear the message are reminded and live in the hope that only Jesus Christ brings.

At the end of this sermon, I shared four prayers for the people at Trinity Baptist Church:

• Kids and youth, I pray that your parents and others would live in such a way that you see their hope in God and that God grows in you a deeper hope in Him.
• Young adults, I pray that the older believers in this church live and act on Sundays and every day in such a way that you know you are loved by God and others and that you desire to ask them how to live life for God’s glory and the good of others.
• Newer believers, I pray you would always remember the joy of your salvation and always be prayerfully seeking opportunities to grow formally and even more so informally.
• Older believers and long-time church members, I pray that you would remember and rejoice because the church has helped you grow in your love for God grew and continues to help you grow.  While it may look a little or a lot different, pray that it will continue to focus on God and the hope he brings.

I am so thankful that I don't have to come up with creative and innovative ways to stir up hope.

I need to be filled up with God's Word and share God's Word with others.

Romans 15:4 HOPE

In teaching and reading scripture, I need to remember they were written to provide hope.  At the our Children's Ministry Leaders/Helpers Kickoff Meeting at Trinity Baptist Church, this is part of the devotional I shared in the beginning from Hope: Living Confidently In God by John Crotts.

In the Bible, God has provided many wonderful records of his strength and his character.  He has also provided many amazing promises that Christians can count on.  Paul wrote today's verse as he looked back at the Old Testament.  According to what Paul says in Romans, Bible stories are not just for Sunday school classes or for Bible trivia games - they were written "for our instruction" so that you might be encouraged.  Their goal is to refocus your hope by reminding you of the greatness of God.  

The stories in Scripture demonstrate that hope in God is solid, true, real, and effective.  Those who hope in God can be used by him to do impossible things.  If God was faithful to David and Moses, he will be faithful to you too.  You have the exact same God, the God of the Bible.

If you are saved, remember, you have been saved
BY GRACE
THROUGH CHRIST
and you have 
A LIVING HOPE.

As we live our lives, talk with people, and deal with good times and challenges,
hope in God.

As I teach, provide oversight to Trinity's ministries to children, families, and adults,
I want to proclaim our hope is in Christ and help others live in this hope.

As we go through life,
proclaim that ultimate hope is in Christ and help others do the same.

God-focused Hope is what we need.
Not the hope of this world.

Who are the angels and the demons?

Pastor Brett's Sermons on this topic:

• Angelology Intro - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/09-28-14PT24.mp3
• Satan - Who is He? - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/10-05-14PT25.mp3
• Satan - His Activity - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/10-12-14PT26.mp3
• Satan - His Defeat and Our Defense - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/10-19-14PT27.mp3

Short Statement (from The Essential Scriptures by Kevin Zuber):  

There can be little doubt that the Bible reveals the existence of angels.  Angels serve God as messengers of judgment, they give Him praise, and they reveal significant developments in the progress of God's program.  

Scripture also reveals the existence of Satan and demons.  Both oppose God and deceivers.

While there is not a specific statement in Trinity Baptist Church's doctrinal statement about angelology, it is a topic in most systematic theology books and there are things that need to be clarified as it relates to what they believe and conversations they might have with others.

HERE is the link to Dan Poling's notes (student and teacher) from Sunday's notes.

Remember, Look Up and Be Humble.

From Urban Legends of Theology

Eulogies that end with "We may have lost our father and friend but heaven got another angel" are wrong.  They are vaguely comforting, but only if we do not think too hard.

Humans never become angels.  We are an entirely different class of being. God aspires to conform us "to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29).  God saved us to be like Jesus.   

Chapters of Urban Legends of Theology by Michael Wittmer connected to this doctrine:   Grandpa Went to Heaven and Plays Outfield for the Angels. 

What is the Church?

What is the church?

In Sunday's class Zac gave this definition of the church

The church is the assembly of believers who regularly meet together across the whole world, glorifying God by obeying His Word and discipling one another in the unity that comes through Christ Jesus.

Pastor Brett's Sermons on the Church:

• The Study of the Church - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/08-16-15PT46.mp3
• Membership and Purpose - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/08-30-15PT47.mp3
• The following will be covered in the Fall's What is the Church? study
• Why Baptism by Immersion - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/09-13-15PT48.mp3
• The Lord's Supper - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/09-20-15PT49.mp3
• Why Church Discipline - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/09-27-15PT50.mp3
• How to Grow Spiritually - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/10-25-15PT51.mp3
• Discipleship 101 - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/01-10-16PT54.mp3
• Prayer - The Most Important and Least Prioritized - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/01-31-16PT55.mp3
• The Vine, the Branches, and the Vine Dresser - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/02-28-16PT56.mp3
• True or False - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/03-06-16PT57.mp3
• American Christian - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/03-13-16PT58.mp3

Short Statement  (TBC doctrinal statement):   

We believe that the two ordinances of the local church are Baptism (the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and the Lord’s Supper (partaking of the bread and the cup to memorialize Christ’s death and anticipate his second coming); that the local church is an independent and self-governing body responsible alone to Christ who is its Savior and Lord.

The church is made up of disciple who 
GLORIFY God
GROW into the image of Christ
SHARE THE GOSPEL with others

An important part of church life at Trinity is meaningful membership.

Why is it Vital to our Daily Lives:

• Hebrews exhorts us to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.”
• The purposes of the church are best accomplished with “one another”
• The example of the early church was that they were DAILY together.
• The early church constantly (Daily) devoted themselves to THE apostles’ teaching, THE fellowship, THE breaking of bread, and THE prayers.
• Consider – terms we use for connection to the church – “joining” a church as if it’s a club – “driving down to the church” as if it’s a building – “enjoying church” as if it’s a show – what do these terms say about our assumptions about church and how do they impact our participation?

Bible Verses

Matthew 28:19-20

Acts 1:8; 2:1-3, 38-39; 10:44-45

Galatians 1:3-5

“What is the Church?”  Fall Series Information beginning September 10, 2023.

The overall goal is to help Trinity glorify God even more and help our church family encourage one another and love one another.

There will be four classes based on the Deacon Care Groups.

The class times are designed with two purposes in mind: 
-  grow in an understanding of what the church is (universal and local)
-  grow in our love for and knowledge of people in our deacon care group

2.  Each week's class time will have the following elements built into them:|
-  at least 10 minutes of prayer built in to pray for your Care Group and the church.
-  two individuals sharing a testimony time for additional thoughts and discussion built into each lesson

     Chapters of Urban Legends of Theology by Michael Wittmer connected to this doctrine:

    I Don't Need Church to Have a Relationship with God (Ch. 36)

What is Salvation?

What is salvation?

Tom's more detailed notes:  https://tinyurl.com/tbcdetailedoutlinejohn

For Parents' Resources, go to tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/2023/07/july-30.html

Pastor Brett's Sermons on this topic:

• The Study of Salvation - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/03-15-15PT39.mp3
• God's Part of Salvation - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/03-29-15PT40.mp3
• Man's Part of Salvation - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/04-19-15PT41.mp3
• Benefits of Salvation - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/05-31-15PT42.mp3
• Salvation Plus... - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/06-14-15PT43.mp3
• Kinsman Redeemer - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/06-21-15PT44.mp3
• Sanctification - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/07-12-15PT45.mp3

Take a Quiz on Salvation

Quote from the quiz:  

"The inability to love, obey, or please God is the very essence of human depravity. And the only solution to that predicament is the recreative work of God. That is why Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again.” "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This is what salvation is all about:  God miraculously changes the nature of those whom He redeems so that they are drawn to the very same righteousness they formerly hated. This was the central promise of the New Covenant."  — John MacArthur

Free ebook for a limited time:  Before You Share Your Faith  

Matt Smethurst shares 5 ways to be evangelism ready.  The first point is Grasp the Gospel.  The book offers a summary of the gospel in four movements:  the Ruler (God created, sustains, and rules everything that exists), the Revolt (Sin is more relational than behavioral and more vertical than horizontal), the Rescue (On the cross God treated Christ as if he had lived a believer's sinful life, so that he could treat us as if we had loved Christ's spotless life), and the Response (Turn from sin, trust Jesus Christ, and treasure Jesus).

From Tom Hill's notes on Salvation and John 3

Everything true then for Nicodemus is true now for you and me.  

The fallen condition of mankind is seen in Nicodemus.  He was blind to spiritual matters.  Even with a knowledge of the Bible and the prestige of a pharisee, he was unable to understand or enter the kingdom of God.  

Jesus tells Nicodemus about the need for new birth.  John 3:3 says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  This new birth is done by God, not man.  Just as the Israelites in Numbers 21 needed to look to God's plan for healing, the serpent lifted up, so we all need to look to Jesus lifted up on the cross for eternal life - spiritual healing.

From TBC's Introduction to Theology class

Key Thoughts

• Necessity of Salvation – Romans 3:23
• Repentance and Faith – Forgiveness – Acts 2:38; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10
• Faith and Works – James 2:14-26; Hebrews 11
• Election
• Justification – Romans 3:24
• Sanctification - Philippians 2:12-18
• Adoption

 Why is it Vital to our Daily Lives:

• At the cross, Jesus paid the penalty (judicial) for our sin and allowed for His Righteousness to be transferred (imputation) to our account.
• God’s forgiveness extends grace to the sinner because of Christ’s work allowing God to be just and the justifier of all who believe and accept Jesus’ finished work on their behalf, making them adopted Children of God

Chapters of Urban Legends of Theology by Michael Wittmer connected to this doctrine: 

Any Religion Will Save You as LOng as You're Sincere (Ch. 29) 
We Must "Preach the Gospel at All Times and If Necessary (Ch. 30)

Who is God the Son?

 Christology - Who is God the Son?

Theology Matters Discussion Time:  Wednesday, July 26 @ 7:00 in Room 2 at Trinity.

For Parents' Resources on Jesus, go to tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/2023/07/july-23.html

Pastor Brett's Sermons on Jesus:

• Christology "Jesus" Humanity Part 1 - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/04-13-14PT12.mp3
• Christology "Jesus" Humanity Part 2 - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/04-27-14PT13.mp3
• Jesus' Death:  Where'd He God? - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/05-11-14PT14.mp3
• His Shed Blood - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/05-25-14PT15.mp3
• Resurrection and Ascension - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/06-01-14PT16.mp3

Additional Resources

• Richard's Class Notes 
• How to Explain the Hypostatic Union to a Fifth Grader podcast
• Take a Quiz on Christ

Quote from the quiz: 

"This Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning, He shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of schools, He spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, He set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned vocabulary, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times."  — Philip Schaf

Short Statement  (TBC doctrinal statement): 

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man.  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice and that all that believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there for us as High Priest and Advocate.

Seven Titles discussed in class:

1. Seed of the Woman:  Genesis 3:15
2. The True Prophet:  John 17 (specifically verses 13 and 14)
3. TH Great High Priest:  Hebrews 4:14-16
4. The Conquering King:  Gospels in Triumphal Entry, foretold in Zechariah 9:9
5. The Son of Man:  Daniel 7:13-14
6. The Suffering Servant:  Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12
7. The Lamb on the Throne:  Revelation 5

Names/Titles

• Christ – John 1:41; 4:25
• Messiah – Matt 16:16
• Jesus – Matt 1:21; Acts 4:12
• King – I Samuel 16:13; Revelation 19:16
• Prophet – Isaiah 61:1, Luke 24:19
• Christ – John 1:41; 4:25
• God – Hebrews 1:8; John 1:1
• Messiah – Matt 16:16
• Lord – Luke 6:46
• Prophet – Isaiah 61:1, Luke 24:19
• Immanuel - Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
• Priest – Exodus 29:1-7; Hebrews 4:14
• Jesus of Nazareth – Acts 2:22
• Son of God – John 5:26-27
• The Man Christ Jesus – I Timothy 2:5
• Son of Man – John 5:26-27

Nature

• Human – human parent, names appearance
• Deity – He created (Hebrews 1:1-2); forgave sin (Matthew 9:2); was worshiped and had divine names.

Confessions/Creeds

• Apostles’ Creed
• The Creed of Nicaea (325)
• The Nicene Creed (381)
• Chalcedonian Creed (451)
• The Athanasian Creed (6th century AD)

Chapters of Urban Legends of Theology by Michael Wittmer connected to this doctrine: 
The Son of God Put on Skin (Ch. 24)
Jesus is More Loving and Compassionate THan the God of the Old Testament (Ch. 26)

What is Sin?

Hamartiology - What is sin?

Parent resources on Sin:  tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/2023/07/july-16.html

Pastor Brett's Sermons on the topic:

• Doctrine of Sin - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/01-11-15PT33.mp3
• Why God Allowed Sin - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/01-18-15PT34.mp3
• Every Day Effects of Sin - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/01-25-15PT35.mp3
• Why the Lost Do Good Things - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/02-22-15PT36.mp3
• God's Reaction to Sin - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/03-01-15PT37.mp3
• Why are Those Who Have Never Heard Held Responsible? - https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/03-08-15PT38.mp3

 Short Statement: 

We believe that because of sin, man incurred not only physical but also spiritual death which is separation from God; that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and in the case of those who reach moral responsibility, are sinners in thought, word, and deed.

Keys Passages related to sin our:

Genesis 3
Romans 1 - 3 (especially 3:23)
Matthew 1:20-23
Philippians 2:5-11
1 Corinthians 15:3,4
I Timothy 1:15

Some important things to remember from the Adult class notes.

"Sin is any lack of conformity to God's will in attitude, thought or action, whether committed actively or passively.  The center of all sin is autonomy, which is the replacing of God with self.  Always closely associated with sin are its products of pride, selfishness, idolatry, and lack of peace." (JMA)

What is Total Depravity?  This is a phrases that is often confused because people think of total depravity as committing the worst possible sins, or at least sins a little worse than any they have ever committed.  It actually means that man is incapable of pleasing God on his/her own (Romans 8:7-8; John 15:5).  We are not in neutral.  We are not a blank slate.  The total depravity of man demonstrates the absolute sovereignty of God.  Man can do nothing to save himself.  God must accomplish all as a gift of His sovereign grace.

The Effects of Sin are Four Fold:

1. Relationship with God the Creator - The relationship with God is severed, and we experience his wrath, punishment, and enmity.
2. Personal - The sinner manifests shame, guilt, fear, suffering, blame, and death.
3. Relationship with Other People - Sin manifests in hatred, strife, anger, murder, and war.
4. Relationship with the Rest of Creation - In sin, man abdicated his God-given rule over creation.  Creation groans because of man's sin.

The Results of Sin

1. While sin promises enlightenment and peace, sin will ALWAYS DISAPPOINT AND NEVER SATISFY.
2. Sin will always take you further than you think.
3. Sin will always more faster than you image.
4. Sin will always cost you more than you can afford.
5. Sin will always have an impact on so many other people.

Chapters of Urban Legends of Theology by Michael Wittmer connected to this doctrine: 
Satan Is Tempting Me (Ch. 17)
You're Not Supposed to Judge (Ch. 20)