Faithfulness

Lesson Notes from Don's teaching teaching Sunday.

Parent & Kids notes can be found at tbcgrkidz.org

Definition: To pursue faithfulness means acting with INTEGRITY, keeping your word, and doing what is right before GOD, with FORTITUDE, and without COMPLAINT because you trust God to give you the ability to complete all things he has given you to do

Some verses to look at:

• 1 Corinthians 4:1—2
• Psalm 31:23—24
• Proverbs 28:20
• Revelation 2:10
• 1 Samuel 12:24
• Hebrews 11

Memory Verse:  1 Samuel 12:24

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart;
Cnsider waht great things he has done for you.

Additional Notes (unless otherwise noted, quotes are from The Fruitful Life by Jerry Bridges)

We are called to be faithful by the always faithful God of the universe, who sent his faithful Son to save us from our sins and sent the faithful Holy Spirit to empower us to live this faithful life.

"Consider for a moment the absolute necessity of the faithfulness of God.  We are dependent upon his faithfulness for our final salvation (1 Corinthians 1:8-9), for deliverance from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), for ultimate sanctification (1 Thessalonians 5:23), for the forgiveness of our sins (1 John 1:9); for deliverance through times of suffering (1 Peter 4:19), and for the fulfillment of our ultimate hope of eternal life (Hebrews 10:23)."

"If we are careful to be honest in the little things, we will certainly be careful to be honest in the more important things of life."

There are some other resources on the kids page that can help with thinking about faithful.  

Here are two helps:

1. Read biographies of faithful Christian men and women.
2. Pray faith-filled prayers.  Thank God for His faithfulness. Thank God for saving faith.  Ask God to help you in being faithful.

Purity

LESSON NOTES from Mike Dickinson

For info about the combined Kids & Parents time,  go to https://tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/2024/07/july-14-combined-sunday-school-purity.html

"To pursue moral purity means choosing to live by the highest moral principles in both speech and physical relations despite your own desires to do otherwise and despite any external pressures to compromise."  From Time for the Talk

Mike Dickinson did a great job of breaking down some key parts of this definition.

Choosing—There are multiple "choices" every day. As each of these choices comes up, do you choose purity or compromise?

Highest - Not just the minimum, but rather, what is the best?  Often we have it backwards.  We talk about the limits of what is proper for a Christian - what you can do and what you cannot do.  Purity is about the heart - taking a new, clean self and wanting to keep it clean.  

Two Key Forces - 

Your own desires - We need to recognize that desires come up within us that can make us want to do what we clearly know we shouldn't.

External pressures - These external pressures can be peer pressure and the pressures of circumstances.

Some of the key passages the class looked at were:

• Matthew 5:8:  "Blessed are the pure in the heart, for they shall see God."
• 2 Timothy 2:20 - 22: "Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  
• Genesis 39:6 - 12:  Joseph's example of fleeing temptation because he understood the seriousness of sin.  It is against God.
• Psalm 119:9, 11:  "How can a young man keep his way pure?  By guarding it according to your word...  I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

The steps of purity:

1. Get clean (or get reclean)
2. Prepare/study/get equipped
3. Resist
4. Flee Sin
5. Lather / Rinse / Repeat

For Kids/Parents notes, go to tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/2024/07/july-14-combined-sunday-school-purity.html

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

The Desiring God article entitled "More Than Sexual Purity" contains a great challenge for Christian men.

Where would you look in the Bible to build a stronger, fuller vision for Christian men?

First Timothy 4:12 is a familiar, yet strangely overlooked, map for men.  The apostle Paul writes to his spiritual son, Timothy, a young man (not child) and elder in the church,

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

In your Christian living, do you consider how you speak, how you spend your life, what good you are to others, how passionate you are for God, how you live a pure life?

The same article states that "worldliness - overt or subtle devotion to pop culture, sports, movies, shopping, social media, or whatever lures you must - can be every bit as spiritually polluting as sexual temptation (James 1:27)."

A godly, pure life is not lived in our own strength.  It must be lived in dependence on the holiness of God the Father, the work of God the Son, and the power of God the Holy Spirit.

"The battleground of a Christian war is your heart...  This is a war for your soul. And, like most wars, it is fought to be won or lost. There is no peacekeeping treaty. God is jealous for your heart, and he is not going to concede this territory to the devil (Jer. 31:33)."  Reju, Deepak. Pornography: Fighting for Purity

Remember, Purity is a Heart Battle.

Courage

LESSON NOTES from Sunday's Adult Christian Education Class taught by Matt Sallee.

Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

In the Adult Class, Matt Sallee asked, "Is this command for us today?"

He then shared three other verses:  Isaiah 41:10, 2 Corinthians 1:20, and Romans 8:32.

Joshua 1:9 is for us today because of who God is and what He does. God is with his people wherever they go, and He gave us the one greatest thing we need: JESUS and so much more.

There are four commands in Joshua 1:9

• Be strong (Ephesians 6:10-18, Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 13:4-6)
• Be courageous - Here are some Biblical examples of courage - Stephen (Acts 7), the church (Acts 8), Paul (Acts 17), Esther (Esther 5:7), wives, husbands, and children (Ephesians 5, 6), Joshua and Caleb (Number 13, 14)
• Do not be afraid
• Do not be dismayed

Remember the LORD is with you (Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5)

What can give the Christian strength and courage and not to be afraid or dismayed?

• A love for God - Luke 10:27: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
•  Repentance of sin - Proverbs 28:13: "He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Do we mourn for our sins?"
• Genuine Humility Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise.
• Devotion to God's Glory - 1 Corinthians 10:28: "Therefore, whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the Glory of God."
• Continual prayer - Philippians 4:6: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God."
• Selfless love - 1 John 2:9: "He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in darkness until now."
• Hunger for God's Word - 1 Peter 2:1-3 "laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of God's Word, that you may grow thereby if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious."
•  Proclaim, Defend the Gospel - Jude 3 "…I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." and Ephesians 5:11 - "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."

The bottom line is that the church is courageous because of who God is and what He has done.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Time for the Talk gives the following definition of courage.

"To pursue courage means choosing to do what is right despite the opposition of others or your own desires (often the more difficult enemy)."

Interestingly, this definition states that courage is often the most challenging when facing opposition to our desires. 

From Courage by Joe Rigney 

"Fear may be present but not sinful."
He continues to develop the idea that to understand courage/fearlessness let's look at its opposite. "fearfulness is to give in and be mastered by fear; to allow fear to guide our actions.""God gives us two things that give us courage

Belief in Jesus
Suffering for Jesus 

G.K. Chesterton, in Orthodoxy, states that ""ourage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live today in the form of a readiness to die.""Old Testament:  

• Joshua and the Israelites, before and beginning of the time in the  Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:17; 31:23; Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18, 10:25)
• Daniel, during the Exile

New Testament: 

• Jesus teaching - John 16:33;
• Disciples actions - Acts 5

Recent History:  Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The Doctor Who Became a Preacher. 

Additional Resources:

Courage:  How the Gospel Creates Christian Fortitude by Joe Rigney
Available in audiobook and ebook through Hoopla
Available in audiobook through Spotify Premium  

Patience

The upcoming lesson, July 7, is COURAGE.

Lesson Notes:

Here is a dictionary definition of patience.

patience (with somebody / something) 1. the ability to stay calm and accept a delay or something annoying without complaining 2. the ability to spend a lot of time doing something difficult that needs a lot of attention and effort

However, as we continue our Marks of a Christian study, we seek more than a dictionary definition.  We want a Biblical definition.

As Drew Ford reminded us in class this morning, "Patience is an attribute of God and is intended to characterize each Christian – it is described as a quality, fruit of the Spirit, attribute of love and a virtue.'

We began by looking at the works of the flesh that show the opposite of patience—jealousy, outbursts of anger, and dissension.  Each of these and others shows an unwillingness to wait for the Lord's timing.  

Here is a list of Bible verses with a short explanation of what they say about patience:

• Romans 2:4 – God is the patient one – taking abuse from us with the hope of our repentance
• Romans 9:22 – God is the patient one – again taking abuse from us – vessels of wrath prepared for destruction
• 2nd Corinthians 6:6 – Paul describes ministry difficulties
• Ephesians 4:2 – We are called to walk worthy of the calling – including fruit of the Spirit behaviors
• Colossians 1:11 – We are called to walk worthy of the Lord – including the fruit of the Spirit
• Colossians 3:12 – We are called to walk worthy of the Lord – as God's chosen ones – command – PUT ON – Spirit behaviors/fruits
• 1st Timothy 1:16 – Jesus patient with Paul (worst of sinners)
• 2nd Timothy 3:10 –Paul'ss example of Christ – teaching & conduct
• 2nd Timothy 4:2 –Paul'ss charge to Timothy – Produce Godly behaviors and traits
• 1st Peter 3:20 –God's patience in the Days of Noah
• 2nd Peter 3:9 – The Lord is patient with desire for all to repent
• 2nd Peter 3:15 – The Lord is patient – desiring our salvation

Growing in patience takes time, requires difficult situations, and oftentimes includes challenging people.

Growth in patience doesn't have shortcuts.  It is not produced by us but by the Holy Spirit.  Because of this, it depends on God, which means it must include prayer.

Additional Notes:

In The Fruitful Life by Jerry Bridge,"

"The word patience, as we use it in everyday speech, actually stands for several different words in the New Testament and is used to describe a godly reaction to a variety of situations.""

Suffering mistreatment"

"This aspect of patience is the ability to suffer a long time under the mistreatment of others without growing resentful or bitter.""

"The opposite of retaliation is to entrust ourselves to God, who judges just."   Remember Romans 12:19

While suffering, we must remember that God is just and faithful.

Responding to Provocation"

"The best way to develop this slowness to anger is to reflect frequently on the patience of God toward u.""

Tolerating Shortcoming"

"Impatience with the shortcomings of others often has its roots in pride.""

"Forbearance, or tolerance, the Scriptures is associated with love, the unity of the believers, and the forgiveness of Chris.""

Ephesians 4:2-3

Waiting on God

The cure for impatience with the fulfillment of God's timetable is to believe his promises, obey His will, and leave results to him"."

Remember Hebrews 6:12.

Persevering through Adversity"

"Whereas long-suffering should be our patient reaction to people who mistreat or provoke us, endurance and perseverance should be our reaction to circumstances that try us.  Endurance is the ability to stand up under adversity; perseverance is the ability to progress in spite of "t."" 

"Whatever the source of our adverse circumstances, the key to endurance and patience is to believe that God is ultimately in contr"l."  

Remember Romans 15:".

"Trials always change our relationship with God.  Either they drive us to Him, or they drive us away from Him.  The extent of our fear of Him and our awareness of His love for us determines in which direction we will move."

Peace

Lesson notes

An abbreviated set of Richard Van Vels notes from Sunday.

Many things can cause worry and a lack of peace in your life.  Here are some Richard Van Vels shared from his life. 

• When Star Wars comes out with another garbage TV show/movie
• When my Amazon delivery isn't on time
• When my kids act out in public
• When the news comes on, and I see a report of death and destruction
• When I hear of the deaths of those close to me
• When I see my fellow believers wrestling with deep heart struggles (e.g., Resurgence of a hidden sin, am I saved, where is God?  Does God love me?  Does God see me?
• When I get into conflict
• When I think about where I will pastor, Lord willing, in the future
• When I see the direction of our nation and how that will affect my children
• When I consider whether my kids will grow up to know the Lord.
• When I have to carry the person who carried me as a child because she was too weak to walk.

Caring for a loved or lost one is not against this fruit of the Spirit.
The burden of caring for another is a way that we can reflect the living God who created us.
But when this becomes an inordinate desire and consumes or tears apart, then there is danger.  

What brings peace?  How can one grow in peace?

• Growing in knowing who God is
• Growing in an understanding of where God is
• Growing in understanding what God's desire is for me
• Knowing who your enemies are.

There are 6 significant usages of the word Peace throughout Scripture:

1. A national state of tranquility  (Lack of War)
2. Peace Between individuals (harmony)
3. Security, Safety, Prosperity, felicity  (Prosperity is a sign of peace)
4. Of the Messiah's Peace  (The way that leads to eternal peace, that is, salvation)
5. Of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatever sort that is.
6. The blessed state of devout and upright men/women after death.

Philippians 4:4 - 9 is filled with peace.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

This passage reminds me of the following.

• Joy is in the Lord: vs. 4
• Let your gentle Spirit be known to all people: vs. 5
• The Lord is NEAR(vs 5) 
• we don't need to be anxious vs. 6
• But!... Let your request be known to Go.  (He already knows, but he wants you to ask!)
• Prayer is humbly approaching the throne of mercy.
• In prayer, Plead because God wants to hear what you have to say, and this heartfelt pleading shows what we believe about God. 
• We pray, with thanksgiving, because of who God is and His secure promises.

Do you know who your enemy/enemies is/are?

Is your enemy God?

If you are saved, He is not your enemy.  God is perfectly just and can be trusted.

If you are saved, your enemies are the world, the flesh, and the Devil, and they will not fight fair.

The Devil, your enemy, is a prowling lion.

The world will turn against you.  Read through the Bible.  You will see that nations will fight against one another.

Your flesh fights against you.

Who is God?    

Philippians 4:9 states He is the God of Peace (vs. 9).

Where is God?  

Philippians 4:4 states He is near.  He goes with his children.  He sees all.

What is God's desire for me?  

God desires to see His children transformed into the image of His Son, bear fruit, and flourish.

Who is your enemy?  

The world, the flesh, and the Devil are against you.

Additional Notes:

From The Fruitful Life by Jerry Bridges

"Peace should be a hallmark of the godly person, first because it is a godlike trait: God is called the God of peace several times in the New Testament.  He took the initiative to establish peace with rebellious men, and He is the author of personal peace as well as peace among men."

"Peace should be part of our character also because God has promised us His peace, because He has commanded us to let peace rule in our lives and relationships, and because peace is a fruit of the Spirit and therefore an evidence of His working in our lives."

Bridges writes about the threefold nature of this peace we are talking about.

• Peace with God
• Peace within ourselves
• Peace with other people

"These are not three parallel but unrelated types of peace; rather, they are three different expressions of one peace - the peace that God gives, called the fruit of the Spirit.  These facets complement and reinforce one another, producing an overall character trait.  Each aspect has unique characteristics that contribute in varying ways to the life of a man or woman of peace."

PEACE WITH GOD

"The basis of our peace with God is our justification by faith in Jesus Christ.  Scripture says, 'Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Christ. (Romans 5:1)"

"Peace with God, then, is the foundation of peace within ourselves and peace with other people.  This foundation does not guarantee, of course, that these other aspects of peace occur automatically."

"The result promised to us when we come to God in prayer with thanksgiving is not deliverance but the peace of God."

"First, we must remember that we are fellow members of the same body.  Paul says, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12)."

"Not only must we remember that we are fellow members of one body, but we must also remember that it is Christ's body of which we are members.  His glory and the honor of His church are at stake in our relationships with one another.  Few things are as dishonoring to the cause of Christ as Christians quarreling among themselves."

"Third, we must recognize that the cause of discord often lies wholly or partly with us.  We must seek a genuine humility about our responsibility rather than entirely blaming the other person."

"Finally, we must take the initiative to restore peace.  Jesus taught that it makes no difference whether you have wronged or been wronged."

"Because peace is a fruit of the Spirit, we depend upon the Spirit's work to produce the desire and means to pursue peace.  But we are also responsible for using the means he has given us and taking all practical steps to attain peace within and with others."

Joy

The 3rd Week of the Mark of Christian Study is focused on JOY, one of the fruit of the Spirit.

There is a difference between eternal, biblical opponent and temporary, circumstantial joy.

Eternal, Biblical Joy is not temporary.  Fruit of the Spirit Joy is forever.

Eternal, Biblical Joy is not dependent on other people.  It depends on God's goodness.

Eternal, Biblical Joy is not earned.  It depends on God, not us.

Eternal, Biblical Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, who never changes and never leaves us unattended.

The Lord provides us with strength amid crisis through joy.

Difficulties between believers can be overcome because of the joy given by the Spirit.

Other benefits of Eternal, Biblical Joy include the following:

• verification of belief
• spiritual unity
• growing relationships
• encouragement for our godly leaders

Remember, 
God gives us joy in His presence
God's precepts provide joy to our hearts.
God is our strength, our shield, and our hearts' trust.

Our church motto: Joyfully Pursuing the Living God.

Love

"Devotion to God finds its outward expression in loving one another."  (The Fruitful Life, p. 47)  Another way to state this is our devotion to God, the creator, shows itself in how we love people, who are created in God's image.

This past Sunday, Mike Guest taught on...

In the study notes for Galatians 5:22, 23, the MacArthur study Bible states, “One of the several Greek words for love, AGAPE, is the love of choice, referring not to an emotional affection, physical attraction, or a familial bond, but to the respect, devotion, and affection that leads to willing, self-sacrificial service.”

Each week during this summer study, we want to ask some questions to get us thinking about the mark for that week.  

Here are some LOVE-related questions.

• How does the world you live in today define and use the word LOVE?
• How does the Bible, God's Word, define and use the word LOVE?
• What are ways you have seen love exhibited in a wrong way?
• What are ways you have seen love exhibited in the right way?
  
• In what ways could you improve how you show love to others?
• In what ways could our church improve in how we show love to others?

John 3:16, a verse many people know, is often used to show how great God's love is for us.

First John 3:16 is a great verse that shows God's love and our response to that love.

"By this we know love, that he laid his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (emphasis mine)

Jesus showed us what love is.
Because of this, we ought to do something.

This kind of love, spiritual love, comes from God.  We are able to love HIM and OTHERS because He first loved us.  This love comes from a heart that has been changed by God, the Holy Spirit.

First Corinthians 13:4-7, tells us what love is.
Here is that list along with a brief explanation of each attribute.

PATIENT - VERY slow to anger. Long tempered.
KIND - Gives benefit to others. Grace-filled.
NOT JEALOUS - Not after “showy gifts”. All one body.
NOT BOASTUL - “Wind Bag” Elevates others over self.
NOT ARROGANT - “Puff like a bellows”. Listens vs. talking.
NOT RUDE - Not Immoral. Yields personal rights.
NOT SEEKING ITS OWN - Others first. Self-lessness.
NOT PROVOKED - Controls sudden outbursts.
NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT WRONGS - Holds no record of wrongs.
NOT REJOICING IN SIN - Takes no pleasure in the sin of others.
REJOICES IN TRUTH - Love is honest and hates lies.
BEARS ALL THINGS - Covers and protects.
BELIEVES ALL THINGS - Optimistic, looking for the good.
HOPES ALL THINGS - Never gives up. Grace again.
ENDURES ALL THINGS - Will not quit. Can’t be killed.

Jesus' prayer in John 17 is filled with love language for God and his disciples.

²⁰ “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

²² The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; ²³ I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me. ²⁴ Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

²⁵ “Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; ²⁶ and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

 

Some Additional Resources:

• J.C. Ryle's Practical Religion.  Specifically chapter 7 on Love.
• Help!  People at Church Are Driving Me Crazy podcast.  "Differences and disagreements are often not a sign that things have gone tragically wrong, but instead gloriously right.  After all, a church should be centered on Christ alone, not...."

For all the Marks of Christian posts, click HERE

Humility

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO OUR SUMMER STUDY:

The Marks of a Christian and the Fruit of the Spirit are not just for private experience.

As the sermons on Romans 12 have reminded us, gifts are meant for the body of Christ.

The same is true for the gifts of the Spirit and Christian character

They are God-focused.   Remember, they come from God and show His glory.

They are also outward-focused.  They are to help us show God's love to others and help the church grow.

THIS WEEK'S MARK: HUMILITY

Definition:

"Pursuing humility means choosing to accept the fact that your knowledge and abilities are limited. In light of that, you regularly seek help and graciously receive advice and correction." (Time for the Talk) 

In thinking about the above definition, there are a couple of points to remember.  All of us limited and need help.  This help is sometimes found when it is sought after.  Other times, it may be given with no after being offered.  Each of us need to consider what is being said and what can be learned.  

Questions to consider:

What is the difference between pride and humility?  

• Pride is when the focus in on oneself.  "Proud people believe that life is all about them - their happiness, their accomplishments, and their worth."  (Pride to Humility, p. 5) 

• "Humble people are focused on God and then others, not on self." (Pride to Humility, p. 16)

What does humility have to do with the Gospel? 

Why is it hard to be humble?

Verses

Psalm 115:1

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness."

This verse is a very simple, repeated message.  This life is not about us.  It is about our loving, faithful God and His glory. 

God, grow in me an ever-growing desire to glorify you and not myself.  Remind me over again of your steadfast love nd faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 8:2 - 3

"And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

While the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness because of their disobedience, God humbled them, even in how He provided food - an unknown food, manna.  Their forty years of wandering in the wilderness served God's purpose.

God, help never forget that you are working the circumstances of our lives for your glory and our good, even the lowest of times.

Isaiah 66:1 - 2 

Thus says the Lord:

"Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is my footstool;

what is the house that you would build for me,

and what is the place of my rest?

All these things my hand has made,

and so all these things came to be,

declares the Lord.

But this is the one to whom I will look:

he who is humble and contrite in spirit

and trembles at my word.

God is awesome - so much bigger than the heavens and the earth and he looks for those are humble, broken, and tremble at His word. 

God, you are over heaven and earth.  You have made everything.  God, make me into one you desire, one who is humbe, is broken over my sin, and trembles at Your word.  Make me yours because I am yours.

Ephesians 4:1 - 2 

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love," 

Paul urges the Ephesians to live out the life the Christian life.  And this is humble, gentle, patient, and loving.   

God, thank you for saving and sanctifying me.  Help me and our church to live out your work in our lives.  God, help me grow in humility, gentleness, patience, and love for others.  Amen.

1 Peter 5:5-7

"Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

Once again, a clear reminder that we must humble ourselves before God in this life.  This not merely a message for "super" Christians.  This is a message for every Christian.  Clothe yourselves with humility. An observation someone in class made was they had never considered the "casting all your anxieties on him" in the context of humbling oneselves before our mighty God.   

God, you have clearly told us that you oppose the proud but give grace to the humble.  Help me to see who I am light of who you are.  Grow in me a patient, hopeful, humble trust in You, the one who works things out according to your sovereign plans and in your sovereign timing. 

Moving from Pride to Humility (Pride to Humility, p. 26)

1. Humble yourself with the Gospel and a cross-centered perspective (James 4:7)
2. Pray for God to search your heart (by His Spirit with His Word) and to help you repent of pride and grow in humility (Psalm 139).
3. Study Jesus (His earthly example, especially in the Gospels, Matthew 11:28-30). Focus on His humility.
4. Ask others if you come across as prideful in any way.  You would do well to have a few people close to you look over your self-evaluations of pride and humility and give their thoughts on your assessment. Remember, pride can be blinding.
5. Spend as much focused time as possible worshiping God (e.g., praising, praying, reading, and meditating). Be sure to center on the love of God demonstrated at the Cross.
6. Practice the "one-another" principles.
7. Work to put off pride and put on humility at the level of your thoughts and motives.
8. Work to put off pride and put on humility at the level of your communication.
9. Work to put off pride and put on humility at the level of your deeds.
10. Have the mindset that humility must be a way of life (Philippians 2:3).

The next mark is JOY!

Additional Humility Resources:

• Transcript from NorthPointe Christian's Senior & Parents breakfast I had the privilege of sharing - tinyurl.com/npcsrbreakfast2024
• Humility by Andrew Murry:  Hoopla-Audiobook  |  Hoopla-Ebook  |  Amazon 

Biblical Counseling MIndset

Biblical Counseling Mindset  - ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE / CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP

Pray that God's Word will be faithfully preached and God's people will lovingly care for one another.

Biblical counseling in a local church setting allows the church to offer real hope to church members, regular attendees, and the surrounding community.

The Sunday preaching and teaching are foundational in helping people understand and live out this hope. The BIBLICAL DOCTRINE taught and the ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE experienced during the church meeting time is essential because this is a standard meeting time for everyone. Throughout the Pastoral, Epistles reminds Timothy and Titus to teach and live the truth before people. Specifically, in 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul tells Timothy to share what he has learned with faithful men who will share it with others. The preaching and teaching prepare a congregation of "mini-preachers" to proclaim the Gospel to their families, neighborhoods, and workplaces. The church's ministry on Sunday is so much more than just the pulpit ministry. It is also a "pew" ministry. Each member is a minister.

The ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE goes beyond Sunday meeting times. A church body with a growing biblical counseling mindset also has a CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP and SOUL CARE that is marked by a love for one another (John 13:14, 34, 35; 15:12, 17; Romans 12:10; 15:14; 16:16; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 5:21; Hebrews 3:13). This CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP is Spirit-led, relationship-driven, not program-directed.

This ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE, CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP, and DIRECTIVE COUNSELING is an every-member church ministry.

Biblical Counseling Mindset – DIRECTIVE COUNSEL

Pray that EACH MEMBER OF TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH would be a biblical counselor/disciple-maker by speaking biblical truth into one another's lives.
"The body of Christ is built up because the men and women in a church family openly acknowledge their pain, hurts, and struggles. There is mutual edification. This is biblical counseling." Biblical counseling is not a silo ministry. It is not a ministry that is isolated from other ministries. The counseling ministry and discipleship ministry are two separate areas of ministry. The biblical counseling ministry of a church is interwoven throughout its disciple-making mandate.

A church will never have enough highly trained, certified counselors to meet all its counseling needs. If we genuinely believe in biblical community and the priesthood of believers, then EVERY MEMBER of the church needs to be equipped to "speak the truth in love to one another at every level in the body of believers." Every disciple is a disciple maker.

Every growing Trinity Baptist Church member needs to be involved in DIRECTIVE COUNSELING. This is counseling that is life-on-life. It happens through friendship, Sunday School classes, small groups, conversations before church, after church, and throughout the week. DIRECTIVE COUNSELING aims to encourage and obey by speaking the truth in love. Each member is a counselor. The question is, "What kind of counselor are you?"

The quotes and the basic idea of this post have been taken from Biblical Counseling and the Church.

Biblical Counseling Mindset - CORRECTIVE COUNSEL

Pray people would seek help when needed, and pray members of Trinity Baptist Church would seek training to become even more equipped biblical counselors.

There are times when more intentional, focused help is needed. Someone may need specific help with parenting, communication, finances, or other ongoing issues. If a church member has been doing DIRECTIVE COUNSEL, he or she may notice the same problems in a person's life. CORRECTIVE COUNSEL is meant to help those "stuck in sin." At this level, the counselor has more specific education and training to help those struggling. Individuals giving DIRECTIVE COUNSEL can come alongside the individual as a helper/advocate at the CORRECTIVE COUNSEL level.

Biblical Counseling Mindset – INTENSIVE COUNSEL

Intensive Counsel - Pray that counselors speak God's truth and have Godly wisdom while helping those struggling with complex, intense situations. Also, pray that those working with intense problems will seek the help they need.

INTENSIVE COUNSEL is focused on issues that have become life-dominating or tragic. Some examples include addictions, significant fear, and potential divorce.
Because of the nature of the problems, INTENSIVE COUNSEL takes more time and requires a counselor with more in-depth training. Most people think of The level of counseling when they hear the word "counseling." The challenge in the local church setting is helping the congregation understand that if people sought and gave more counsel at the DIRECTIVE COUNSEL and CORRECTIVE COUNSEL levels, it would help with how much INTENSIVE COUNSEL needs to be given.