Gods Glory in Coffee Cups

As we wrap up this God's Glory in Our Story class, I pray it was an encouragement to those who attended and I pray those who attended would be an encouragement to others as they remember what we studies and talked about.

The outline for our last class was 

Personal - Coffee Cups
Biblical - Psalm 78:1 - 7
Historical - Two of J.C. Ryle's books Holiness and Practical Theology

Personal - Coffee Cups

Throughout the Bible, the people of God are given or create reminders of God's faithfulness and holiness.  A stack of stones, a meal, or a ritual.  When can do the same type of things.  I shared with the class a coffee cup reminder I have created in my office to show God's faithfulness to me since 1992.  

The eight mugs in the background represent some, not all, of the key places God has taken me in my life since I graduated from college.

• Dominican Republic
• Heritage Baptist Church
• Baptist Bible College and Seminary
• Emmanuel Baptist Church
• Camp Patmos
• OARBC 
• Jamaica
• InOnTime

Whatever coffee cups, life circumstances, you might have in the background, remember the quotes on the three mugs in the foreground.

• "Preach the Gospel"
• "Make Your Life Count, Make His Name Known"
• "I will declare your steadfast love"

Biblical - Psalm 78:1—7

For similar verse graphics go to 
wiki.logos.com/Biblia_Verse_of_the_Day_images

Psalm 78:1–3.  Listen to God and listen to what your fathers have told you about God.

Psalm 78:4a.  Do not hide these things from your children.

Psalm 78:4b.  "But we will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His power and His wondrous works that He has done.

Psalm 78:5.  What does this verse mean when it says he has established a testimony?  I am reminded of how God begins the 10 Commandments.  They don't start with the commandments.  They start with a testimony of what God did.

Psalm 78:6. One of the reasons God did this is so that the next generations would know God and tell their children. 

Psalm 78:7 "so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his commandments;

Historical - Two J.C. Ryle's books  Holiness and Practical Theology

We closed out this class session and series with the importance of prayer.

One of the chapters in Ryle's Practical Theology is on Prayer

Prayer is the most important subject in practical theology.

Here are seven plain reasons Ryle uses such strong language about prayer

1. Prayer is absolutely needful to a man’s salvation.
2. The habit of prayer is one of the surest marks of a true Christian.
3. There is no duty in religion so neglected as private prayer.
4. Prayer is that act in religion to which there is the greatest encouragement.
5. Diligence in prayer is the secret of eminent holiness.
6. Neglect of prayer is one great cause of backsliding.
7. Prayer is one of the best receipts for happiness and contentment.

2023 Spring Classes

This page was updated on 2/22/2023

As February comes to an end we are looking forward to the Spring quarter classes starting up in March.

Before the class descriptions, which appear at the end of this, here are a couple of statements about why we do classes the way we do at Trinity Baptist Church.  These details help show the connections between discipleship and our classes.

The Adult Christian Education classes are designed for Biblical Discipleship.  Part of this discipleship happens through intentional teaching and meaningful membership - "the commitment Christians make to keep one another accountable for regularly gathering and centering their lives together on the Gospel." (Alex Duke, Crossway Link)

An illustration used to show what active membership/Biblical discipleship involves is the four-chair model.

In this model, the chairs do not represent places of rest and inactivity.  Each chair represents a stage in the growth process.  There is a movement to the right. 
Members of Trinity need to be evangelizing, sharing the Gospel, at their places of work, at their schools, with their neighbors, and in their families.  The message of the Gospel will be preached at church services and it can be shared in so many different places.

The goal of ACE is to provide the education and training needed to establish, edify, and equip believers, never becoming too comfortable with where we are in now.  

Our Sunday morning classes help Christ-followers move along the Establish - Edify - Equip process.  We know that throughout our lives we need to be continually established, edified, and equipped.  

• Classes that ENGAGE God’s FOUNDATION are designed to establish believers in the basics of the Christian faith and Trinity life.
• Classes that ENGAGE God's WORD are designed to edify believers who desire to know the Bible better.
• Classes that ENGAGE God's WORLD are designed to edify believers who desire to know how God's Word connects to our lives and the world at large.
• Classes that ENGAGE God's WORK are designed to equip believers who are ready to invest and help others grow spiritually.

The classes offered each quarter are intentionally meant to disciples grow and make more disciples. With this intentionality in mind, some classes are REPEATED more often.  This quarter's Prayer class was offered not so long ago but it, along with others like Intro to Theology or Missions/Evangelism, is repeated because the topic is part of Trinity's heartbeat and we want each of us to grow in these areas.

In joining a class you are taking a step to grow spiritually and connect with other believers.  

With that general description of the ACE classes, here are the four classes being offered this spring.

Judges will be taught by Pastor Jason and Tom Hill in the Chapel

The tragic, dark, cyclical nature of Judges reveals much about Israel specifically and people in general. The continual rescues reveal much about God and His faithfulness. This class will look at sin, sovereignty, and salvation as the many OT judges are studied.
Engaging God’s WORD

Prayer will be taught by Don Vogel in Room #2.  Pastor Dave will be teaching for the first two weeks (3/5 and 3/12).

 Prayer in the OT. Prayer in the NT. How do they compare? What differences do we see?
God’s plan, and purpose. Our plans and goals. How does prayer get these into alignment?
Answers to prayer. What are our expectations? Does God always answer?  
Does prayer really matter?  How should we pray?
Engaging God’s FOUNDATION

Church History will be Steve De Man in Room #3

We will study the history of the church from AD 70 to the present day.  We will see how God’s hand of providence has moved throughout history to preserve and spread the message of his gospel around the world.  This class will be the same as last year’s for March and April, in the month of May we will cover from the 1600s forward.
Engaging God’s WORLD 

Contentment will be taught by Paul Vander Mey in the Fireplace Room

Biblical contentment. What is it? How can I get it? How does it affect my personal life and my service to others for the Lord?"
Engaging God’s WORK

Gods Glory Class and Sermon

scripturetype.com

This morning I had a couple of ministry opportunities - teaching class and preaching a sermon.

Teaching the God's Glory in Our Stories class at 9:45.

We discussed 

last week's sermon - Paul's testimony in Acts 22 (head - what did you learn or were you reminded of, heart - what do you need to be more passionate about, head - what do I need to do) 

heard a couple of salvation testimonies.

At the end of class we very briefly looked at the life of Amy Carmichael.  Here is a link to the Torchlighters resource page - Torchlighters:  Amy Carmichael resources.

Preaching Philippians 3:7, 8 at 11:00 am.

As an associate pastor, I want to make the most of the occassional preaching opportunities God gives me.  This morning I preached this week's Fighter Verses, which connected well with Pastor Brett's Acts 22 sermon last week on Paul's testimony.

  

Hope in the WHATEVER THINGS is worthless and detestable. 

Our lives need to sing of THE GREAT THINGS God has done especially THE GREATEST THING - Jesus, who conquered the grave, freed captives, is faithful in the storm.

  

 

Quotes about knowing Jesus shared very quickly in the sermon:

• "To know is more than facts about someone. It is an intimate experience."  John MacArthur   

• "Sinners must know something to be saved, and they also must know someone intellectually  and experientially."  Robert Gromacki 

• "This knowledge is different from the knowledge we gain through objective academic study, though information is part of our growing personal knowledge of Christ."   Thomas Constable  

• "Communion with Christ that began at his conversion and had been his experience all the years since then."  Expositor's Bible Commentary  

• "A believing experimental acquaintance with Christ as Lord."  Matthew Henry  

• "There is a wide difference between mere head knowledge and experimental thoughts of Christ."  J.C. Ryle  

• "Knowledge that has to do with personal experience and intimate relationship."  Gordon Fee

 In the sermon I mentioned Jim Elliot's biography.  Here are some resources.

• Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot
• Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose by Janet Benge for 9 - 12 years old
• Jim Elliot:  The missionary who risked it all for Ecuador  Part of the Torchlighters Series.  If you are planning to watch this with children, you will want to preview it.  Some parts are intense.
• The Journal of Jim Elliot 

Gods Glory Joshua & David Brainerd

Biblical:  Joshua 23, 24

Joshua 23:6 - 10 contains great truth about who God is and what He has done

Joshua 24:1 - 13 contains 

Joshua 24:14 - 24 contains 

A couple of weeks ago, we did Joshua 23 and 24 with the children.  HERE is a link to the lesson resources.

Historical: David Brainerd

"God is at work for the glory of His name and the good of His church even when rhw good intentions of His servants fail."  John Piper 

"God can and does use weak, sick, discouraged, beat-down, lonely, struggling saints who cry to God day and night to accomplish amazing things for Hs glory."  John Piper 

The Hidden Smile of God click for a free pdf of the book is about the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd. 

David Brainerd:  May I Never Loiter on My Heavenly Journey!  

• click for a free book pdf  

• click for the message 

• click for an article

 

God's Glory Podcast

Listen to the podcast at this link God's Glory in Our Story episode

The first question of The Westminster Catechism is "What is the chief end of man?"

The answer is "Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." 

Romans 11:36 says "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." 

First Corinthians 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Scripture is filled with narratives, poems, and letters that make much of God.

SO,

when we read or hear the stories of believers throughout history we should see God's glory

and

when we tell our stories to one another, they should be filled with God's glory.

In the God's Glory in Our Story episode of the Trinity Life podcast Richard VanVels and I talk about what this class is about and some helps and encouragement for sharing our stories in a way that gives God the glory he deserves.

The class is set up to show where we can and should look for encouragement.

For class-specific posts, click HERE

Look in the Bible. Here are some examples the narrative of Joshua's life, the poetry of David in the Psalms, the account of the blind man’s testimony and Stephen's martyrdom, and the letters written by Paul to Timothy, Titus, and Onesimus. 

Look at the biographies of godly men and women. Here are examples John Bunyan in prison, William Cowper in depression, David Brainerd in sickness, and others like Amy Carmichael, Charles Spurgeon, and Corrie Ten Boom 

Look at our church family. Listen to, ask about, and share testimonies of salvation and spiritual growth with each other. As it relates to personal testimonies remember, if you have been saved by the amazing grace of God, you have something monumental and life-changing to share. Remember your testimony should point to God not you, another person, or an organization.

If I told you my story, you would hear hope, that wouldn't let go 

And if I told you my story, you would hear love that never gave up 

And if I told you my story, you would hear life, but it wasn't mine 

If I should speak, then let it be of the grace that is greater than all my sin 

  

Personal...

 

Historical/Biographical...

For kids, the Torchlighters:  Heroes of the Faith stories - torchlighters.org 

8 Reasons to Read Christian Biographies - counselingoneanother.com/2013/06/04/8-reasons-to-read-christian-biographies/

27profoundly, relevant biographies in the Swans are not Silent series - www.desiringgod.org/books/27-servants-of-sovereign-joy

God's Glory: Genealogy and William Cowper

"My Story" by Big Daddy Weave

Biblical:

Knots in Jesus' Family Tree - www.gty.org/library/blog/B171206/knots-in-christs-family-tree-a-tale-of-four-outcast-women

Historical:

Insanity and Spritual Songs in the Soul of a Saint - https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/insanity-and-spiritual-songs-in-the-soul-of-a-saint

"God Moves In a Mysterious Way" is in Season 2 - www.gracemedia.app/hymnology/season:1

God's Glory: Bible and Bunyan

Systematic Theology (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/systematic-theology/) is what we usually think of when we hear the words theology and doctrine.  The different section, usually around ten, with statements and scriptural support for what the Bible is (bibliology), who God is (theology proper), who Jesus is (Christology), who the Holy Spirit is (Pneumatology), who man is (anthropology), and so on.  

Biblical Theology (www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/biblical-theology) is examining theology as it is revealed in the Bible - progressive revelation.  

Historical Theology (www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/historical-theology/) is watching the development of theology throughout church history.

Finally,,Biographical Theology is looking how men and women lived their lives because of what they believed the Bible says about God.

Each of these theologies need to be rooted in Scripture.  What does the Bible truly say about God?  Not what did a person say about God? or What did a specific time in history say about God?

The Hidden Smile of God click for a free pdf of the book) is about the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd.

In today's class (12/11/22), we look at the life of John Bunyan.

God's Glory in Our Stories

On December 4th, I started teaching a class entitled "God’s Glory in Our Stories." 

God has done and is doing so many amazing things in the lives of His people. 

We will be looking at testimonies 

  in the Bible (Biblical)

  throughout church history (Biographical)

  in our church family (Personal)

and what these real-life stories show us about our amazing God. 

Along with Biblical and historical teaching, individuals will have the opportunity to consider and share their own stories of God’s faithfulness. 

Each week of class will contain a Biblical, Biographical, and Personal element.

In some ways, this class is an experiment or a lab.  

The Personal part of the class is going to be dependent on the class members' willingness to share life with one another.

A schedule of Biographies has been set up but this has some flexible and can change depending on class discussions.

The Biblical portion of each week will look at passages that include people's life story (Matthew 1 - Jesus, Joshua 23, 24 - Joshua, John 9:1 - 34 - The blind man's testimony, Acts 7 - Stephen, Acts 22, 26 - Paul, Philemon - Onesimus)

  

This article, 8 Reasons to Read Christian Biographies, includes some great reasons to read biographies.

It is my prayer that the class will challenge people to glorify God in their lives as they see how God has been glorified in other people's lives.

Below is the video to Big Daddy Weave's song "My Story."  This song is what I pray people attending the class would think about.  

Here are the first two parts of the song 

If I told you my story
You would hear hope, that wouldn't let go
And if I told you my story
You would hear love that never gave up

And if I told you my story
You would hear life, but it wasn't mine
If I should speak, then let it be of the grace
That is greater than all my sin

Great Reminders from Joshua

As the year winds down, I am thankful for the way the calendar is set up. 

- Be thankful.
- Remember Jesus.
- Wrap up the old year and start a new year.  

These year-end reminders should be an ongoing lifestyle.

Be thankful for who God is and what He has done.  
Trust in Jesus.
As you reflect on the past, live in the now, and anticipate the future, be thankful and trust in Jesus.

This year has had its blessings and its challenges and God is good no matter what.  

Recently in Bible club and Children's church, God has used the book of Joshua to remind me of some BIG truths at the end of 2022 and I am very thankful for this.

The book begins with a repeated reminder to "Be strong and courageous."  

Chapter 1, verse 9 says

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.  (emphasis mine)

The people of God are strong and courageous because of who God is.

Then the story of Achan shows the seriousness of sin.  In Joshua 7:20-21, Achan says he has sinned against the LORD.

• he saw the cloak, gold, and silver (not a sin)
• he coveted them (clearly a sin)
• he took/stole them (clearly sin)
• he hid them in order to deceive God and others (clearly sin)

His personal sin had a wide-reaching impact.  Thirty-six soldiers died at Ai and his family was stoned with him because of his rebellion against God.

Sin is a serious problem for people because it is against God.

At the end of the book, it is a faithful man of God wanting to remind others of God's faithfulness and how they should live because God is faithful.

 He told them that the Lord your God has fought for you (23:3, 10).

He reminds them to be very strong (23:6). 

And then he says,

You know in your hearts and souls, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God has promised concerning you.  All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.  (23:14)

Chapter 24:1-13 is a rehearsal of what God has done. Followed by a challenge to fear the LORD and serve him in 24:14-28.

Fear the Lord and serve Him.

Remember,
  God is good.
  Sin is a serious problem.
  Fear God and Serve Him.

Once again, I am so thankful for God's Word and how it challenges me to grow.  

 

November Prayers

Two November prayers

The first is from Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers.
https://www.challies.com/quotes/a-prayer-of-praise-and-thanksgiving/
There are 17 different things listed in this prayer to praise God for.

The second is a Black Friday Prayer written by Scotty Smith and shared at www.thegospelcoalition.org
I made some modifications to the original content so the prayer could be used leading up to Black Friday, not just on the day it was originally posted.

If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Tim. 6:8 (ESV 

So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt. 6:31-33 (NIV)

Click scripturetype.com for this graphic and a coloring page

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way. 2 Cor. 9:11 (ESV)

Lord Jesus, they should have called it Black Thursday this year, or Black Week, because before we even had our Thanksgiving coffee, the stores [will be] opening and beckoning shoppers with tantalizing markdowns on all kinds of stuff.  [We will wake up ] with more cyber deals in my email inbox than I can possibly shake 10 credit cards at.

I judge no one, Jesus, for I am as spoiled and covetous as anyone. I praise you that I’ve never had to be concerned about what I’ll eat, drink, or wear; and I’m very happy a lot of people will get some really great deals the next few days.

But on Black Friday, I’m especially grateful for Good Friday, and what you accomplished for us by your life, death, and resurrection. It’s only because of your finished work that we have peace with God—the Father who knows our every need and answers before we ask; the über-generous Lord who gives us all things richly to enjoy, and freely to share; the One who satisfies our hunger, slakes our thirst, and clothes us—not only with cotton and wool, but in your righteousness and grace. We are wealthy beyond measure and deserving.

As we begin the season of Advent, grant us grace for seeking your kingdom first, and our fiefdom of self, last. Rather than spending more money and expending more worry on ourselves, where would you have us invest our time and treasures, talent and tears? Jesus, free us to love and serve others with joy during the season of Advent. So very Amen we pray, in your grace-full and glorious name.

 

Picture Perfect Posts

A Facebook post I wrote tonight and wanted to share here for those who may not have Facebook.

Often times Facebook seems like the place for picture-perfect posts. THIS IS NOT THAT POST.  

It has been a couple of emotionally draining days. On Thursday, it was the 18th anniversary of my dad's death. It was a hard day and part of that was because Friday was Josiah's last football game of his first season playing. I was thinking about how much my dad would have loved to see Josiah play. 

Sunday was a good, but tiring day of teaching - Adult Class lesson on Jonah, a Children's Church lesson on Joshua and Ai, and leading a small group Sunday night. Ministry in the midst of challenging times is hard AND God is good. 

This week's Fighter Verses, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, is a good reminder at times like this.

[For] this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. —2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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Bible Study for Growth 3

During the first two weeks of the Bible Study for Growth In Me and Others class, we have been developing a UNIQUE theme.

By saying a UNIQUE theme, I am not suggesting I have come up with a unique and new way to study the Bible.

I do mean the Bible is a UNIQUE book (week 1) and because of this fact, it needs to be thought of and studied in a UNIQUE way (week 2).

One quote that helps show the uniqueness of Bible reading and study is 

"No amount of advice on Bible reading techniques can compensate for minds that are not willing to humbly follow God." (Read the Bible for a Change by Ray Lubeck)

It is my prayer that as we continue this class study our minds will be challenged, our hearts will be stirred, and actions and attitudes will be transformed by God for His glory.

Next week will look at Seeing and Understanding God's Word.  The class will cover pages 11-21 in the workbook and chapters 4 and 5 in Reading the Bible for Change.

Also, the homework is READ THE BOOK OF JONAH and MAKE BASIC OBSERVATIONS..