Trinity | Big Rapids Campus: Recent Episodes
Trinity Fellowship EFC
Jesus and the Woman at the Well Three THIRSTS and Three SOURCES External Internal Theological/Philosophical
What are your Deeper Thirsts? What are your usual Sources to Satisfy? How is that Going for You?
The wall is finished; faithful, God-fearing leaders are appointed; their legacy was confirmed.
Losing alignment; regaining alignment; sustaining alignment. Righteous anger; Reflection; Call to Repentance; Expect Accountability; Model Alignment I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Should such a man as I run away?
II Timothy 2:20-26 Two kinds of people - noble or ignoble - choose the noble way, and here is how! - direction of life - demeanor in conflict - dependence on God
Easter Sunday, 2018. Satan Bound. 1st Resurrection. 1,000 Years. Satan Released. Lake of Fire. 2nd Resurrection and Judgement. Death into Lake of Fire. Promises Kept. Enduring Faith.
How we can stay faithful (Staying IN, not drifting into being "ineffective and unfruitful")
The grace of God came IN to our world (11-14). It is the foundation of why we live differently (1-10).
God created us a morally responsible beings. He has made it our duty to decide whether we will live under His gracious Lordship or to continue to seek to be the masters of our own destinies. We must decide, because indecision is still a choice. Nov-5 47 Nov-12 (PowerHouse Fund-Raiser) TW VISION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
THE INfluence Intervention: The Need to Remain Influenced by the Gospel if we are to be faithful and true Influences for the Gospel
THE INfluence of the Hope: Resurrection PLUS! The Believer’s Hope of the Resurrection, Sending of the Spirit, Second Coming, New Heavens and New Earth
God's story is one of love and redemption. He did not just send a messenger, He sent His only Son, God Himself. Jesus came to reveal God to us and to provide a way for us to be brought back into a right relationship with Him.
To be an influence to others we must first have Gospel Fluency. Focusing on the creation, specifically of humans in the image of God. This addresses why there is a longing in everyone of us to live up to who we
Today, Pastor Gary explores with us 1 Corinthians 10:23—11:1. The issue for the Corinthians was whether to eat meat that had been offered to idols in pagan temples. We don’t face the identical issue, but the principles taught by Paul provide us with practical guidance in “choosing the best to make the most.”
Looking at Judges 4-5, we will consider how we sow as followers. As we face overwhelming odds, we need to sow a willingness and faithfulness to heed the call to serve among the ranks of the Lord’s servants. We want to make sure we are NOT going to reap the cursed shame of being gutless and faithless followers.
Today, Pastor Gerhard deBock encourages us to reflect on our daily choices. These “forks” in road will lead us to broken hearts or to “single hearts” that remain focused on Christ.
Our “heart-choices” are crical, whether we are singles or marrieds. If any of us who are followers of Jesus lose our “single-heartedness,” the results will be anything but “fun.”
Let’s sow to the Spirit and reap the fruit of the Spirit and, ulmately, eternal life.
Today, Pastor Gerhard deBock shares with us how NOT to sow the wind and reap the whirlwind with our older children.
It is so easy to get trapped in the death spiral of unresolved conflict that tempts us to make unwise choices as parents.
We will be seeking practical insights on how to break out of the vortex and sow for ourselves righteousness, reaping steadfast love.
How to sow as parents of younger children. God has called, authorized, equipped and modeled for us how to wisely plant in our kids lives. Following God’s plan will have the strongest impact toward reaping the yield of tender and humble-hearted children who seek after God.
Even for those who are not parenting younger children, the insights will help us see if we ourselves have learned the lessons of life the Lord has intended for us.
An overview introduction to the many passages that refer to the law of sowing and reaping, exploring how we yearn to be able to break this law. But we are broken ourselves, finding ourselves completely dependent upon God's grace and mercy.
Galatians 5-6; cf. Ps. 81:11-12
Never go alone. It started with a simple invitation from Jesus, and it continues by way of a simple invitation...to have others join us in becoming now a people of Gospel INfluence. We gain greater gospe influence when we immerse ourselves in community that regularly remembers, recites, and rehearses the good news of Jesus into the everyday stuff of life.
Scripture Rederences: Matt. 4:18-22; Luke 5:27-32
Courageously Making the Most of every Opportunity to Connect Peoples' Stories with God's Story
Becoming a Person of INfluence who INtentionally seeks to connect God's story with his/her own story with others' stories
A topical study of the many ways we get confused about time and how it robs us of the biblical urgency we need to be focused for the Lord's work.
He came to die - intentionally, generously, courageously - so that we could be TOGETHER with Him and each other
Jesus came INTENTIONALLY. In the fulness of time He came to the world He created. A world in which He would be the one who would suffer the most
The long view of history and its outcome brings longevity to our impact IN our communities.
Trouble streaming? Try watching on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/191355009
We are never so old or have had so much success that we shouldn't expect to suffer for our faith. Our service IN our communities must be a lifelong lifestyle.
Kingdoms will come and go but God is always on His throne. We must be willing to read the handwriting on the wall for our broader culture.
We may serve IN our communities but our ultimate loyalty will be exposed when we draw a line in the sand. We must determine what is worth dying for.
Standing on our convictions means allowing our commitment to God to impact everything about us.
Hebrews 11:13 Hebrews 13:12-14 1 Peter 2:11-12 Jeremiah 29:5-7 John 17:14-16 Daniel 1:1-21
Does Vision 2019 GAIN the focus God has for us? YES!!!
It sends us to be IN our communities: . . . Intentionally (John 17:18-23) Courageously (Acts 4:29-33) Generously (Acts 13:2-4) For the “WIN” (Luke 15)
How do we SUSTAIN this focus? TOGETHER!!! We need each other IN the midst of distractions, like . . . The world’s hatred (John 17:14-17) Satan’s attacks (John 17:14-17) Unholy temptations (John 17:14-17) Relational dis-unity (John 17:18-23) Powerful threats (Acts 4:29-30) Daily needs (Acts 4:32-33) Jealousy of self-righteousness (Luke 15:25-30)
Promises We can have what it takes to speak COURAGEOUSLY: --As the Fragrance of Christ, we speak in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14~17). --As the Witness of Christ, we speak through the Spirit (Matthew 10:16~22). --In the Opportunities from Christ, we speak a mouth of wisdom (Luke 21:12~19).
Practices We will speak COURAGEOUSLY if we remain: --PRAYER-FUL for an open door. --AWARE-FUL of each opportunity. --SPIRIT-FUL, walking in step with Him.
Colossians 4:2~6, Ephesians 5:15~18, Acts 4:13 and 29~31.
INtentional
We have been Commissioned.
We have been Positioned: --Intentionally --Naturally --Providentially
We MUST be INtentional... Beginning in Prayer.
The Twin Confusions of Forgiveness
The Challenge of Care-Fronting
Jesus Care-Fronts Local Churches --The Church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:2~4) --The Church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:19~21)
A Local Church Care-Fronts A Sinning Member --1 Cor. 5:1~13 --2 Cor. 2:5~11
A Brother Care-Fronts His Brothers (Gen. 44:16, 45:3~5, 50:15~17) --Joseph --The Brothers
Preparing Our Heads to Forgive
Two Common Theses: 1) We must only forgive when there is repentance in word and deed, with reconciliation being the end-goal (Inter-personal). 2) We can forgive even without contacting the other party, with our release from the emotional prison of bitterness as the chief target (internal).
A Synthesis - The Two Hands of Forgiveness: --An Open Hand to ALL (Offering or Requesting Forgiveness). --Hand in Hand is Only for the Repentant (Completed Forgiveness - Reconciliation).
Rev. Pastor Gerhard deBock
Preparing Our Hearts, Part 2
To Prepare Our Hearts We Must: 1) Take a Gut-Check: Do we really understand how important this is? 2) Take the Log-Out: Begin with self-examination. 3) Take Another Gut-Check: Do We Really, REALLY Understand How Important This Is? --Matthew 18:21~35 4) Put the Love In: Do We Remember How Much We Have Been Forgiven? --Luke 7:36~50 --Ephesians 4:31~5:2
As God in Christ Forgave You, You Forgive Others.
Preparing Our Hearts, Part 1.
To Prepare Our Hearts We Must: 1) Take a Gut-Check: Do We Really Understand How Important This Is? --Matthew 6:11~15 "forgive us as we have forgiven" --Matthew 7:12~14 "the gate is narrow"
2) Take the Log Out: Begin with Self-Examination --Matthew 7:1~5 (Luke 6:37~38) ----"judge not" ----"first take the log out of your own eye"
--Matthew 5:21~26 ----"angry, insults, 'you fool" ----"has something against you... first be reconciled" ----"come to terms quickly"
--Galatians 6:1~2 "keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted"
--1 Corinthians 4:3~5 "I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted"
Receiving Forgiveness: Our Part In Reconciliation 2 Chronicles 6 & 7
God offers "The Gold Standard of Forgiveness" to all, But not all are forgiven; ONLY those who respond by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ are forgiven, justified, and reconciled to God.
THE RESPONSE to God's initiative includes our: --Humbling Ourselves --Repentance (Turning) ----With all our Heart and Mind --Acknowledgement of God's Name --Seeking God's Face --Prayer, Confessing Our Sin ----Marking Restitution, if possible --Pleading for Forgiveness ----Manifesting the Fruits of Repentance (God knows our hearts)
NOT: The pride of saving face, making excuses, minimizing the damage done, merely sorrowful for the consequences, "Sorry you took it that way" ignoring the issues, pretending all is okay, avoiding the person afterward, just easing our guilty conscience, wanting to dig up the root of bitterness but without restoration of relationship, vague awkwardness but no direct request, talking charge but no visible fruit of repentance.
We Must Show Delight (the incense of delight): --By GIVING them our full attention and unhurried time. --By AFFIRMING to them our public commitment. --By BLESSING them with our dreams for their future.
We Must Arouse Compassion (the oil of healing): --By INITIATING reconciliation. --By remembering forgiveness is a decision and a process. --By not adding up a record of wrongs but PRAYING that mercy will triumph.
Tip #1: Know Your Purpose --Fill the earth with Godly Children. --Are your children filling you with Joy?
Tip#2: Value Wisdom --Wisdom is supreme! --Am I directing them to the Beginning of Wisdom? --Are you helping him/her fall in Love with God?
Tip#3: Weigh Out Life Choices with Wisdom
1 Time
---We need to Manage our Time. ---We need to Savor our Time.
2 Work
---It's all about our Perspective. ---We are God's Workmanship to do Good Works.
3 Money
---Get to the Heart of the Matter. ---God Owns it All.
Don't Forget Your Purpose Weigh Out Choices Carefully Watch Your Perspectives Closely
It starts with following Jesus, our Servant-Example, and taking up our Towel.
So that our children and others... See our Model (The What), Hear our Teaching (The Why), Do with us what we Pray (The How)
Pray daily for a Philippians 2 mindset: Holy Spirit, Make me a Christ-Like Servant today.
The Rod & Staff: Teaching and Discipline
Having the Right Attitude: --Do I make it about the sheep? --Have I really gotten to know the sheep? --Am I willing to lay my life down for the sheep? --Am I "On Purpose"
Having the Right Dexterity: --Do I teach intentionally consistently? ----Will I make a toolbox list? --Do I discipline consistently? ----I will use "law" to show the need for "grace". ----I will discern childishness from rebelliousness. Do I discipline redemptively? ----I will teach them how to ask for clarification.
On The Team -Beloved Siblings -Faithful Minister -Fellow Slave -Take Responsibility to Listen & Share -Fellow Prisoner -Fellow Kingdom Worker -Source of Comfort -Struggling in Prayer -Focused in Prayer -It is All My King's -Follow-Through
On The Couch -Unknown Guest -User, a Leech -Waiting to be Served -It is Others' Job to Tell Me or Ask Me -"Here for You"... Until it Costs Too Much -Work for the Kingdom of "Me" -Only Want to be Comforted -Pray When I Feel Like It -Praying for Health & Material Prosperity -I Retain My Rights Over the Things of This World -Start Strong but Never Finish
Walking in Christ... Everyday... Everywhere - A Changed Person Practically Changes... Specifically
In The Name of The Lord Jesus
"X-Changed" gets specific for: --Wives - put on submitting, for it is fitting. --Husbands - put on love, put off being harsh. --Children - put on obeying, for it pleases the Lord. --Fathers - put off provoking, for it discourages kids. --Bondservants - put on obeying sincerely out of reverence for God, put off pleasing eye-service; Put on working heartily as for the Lord, for you will receive an inheritance and God will pay back wrongdoers. --Masters - put on treating justly and fairly, for you know you have a Master in heaven.
Watch & Pray
Getting Specific with Outsiders --That the Spirit would open doors for the Word. --That we can make the mystery of Christ clear. --That we walk in wisdom toward outsiders. --That we make the most of the opportunities. --That our speech is gracious.
"Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures"
Ministry is given to us... By God... For Others - Effective Ministry Requires That We: -Re-energize through the toil and suffering. --Rejoicing in our sufferings for others' sake. --Remembering we are filing up Christ's afflictions. --Re-energizing with Christ's energy.
-Re-Calibrate to Christ and His Word --Re-calibrate our content: ---To make the word of God fully known. ---To glory in the mystery of God's work among the Gentiles. ---To seek to fully know Christ.
--Re-calibrate our methods: ---To proclaim Him by warning everyone. ---To proclaim Him by teaching everyone. ---To proclaim Him in order to present everyone mature.
--Re-calibrate our desired outcomes: ---To present everyone mature in Christ. ---To struggle to have hearts be encourage. ---To struggle to have believers knit together in love. ---To struggle to have believers reach all the riches of Christ.
Grateful that we can be MADE Worthy --The Gospel can make us worthy to be Saints --To be made worthy
Prayerful that we can WALK Worthy --The Gospel makes us want to walk worthy, being fully Pleasing to Jesus --To walk worthy
Lessons for Christ-Learners: --people of learning (don't pit heart vs. head). --apply what they learn to life (don't pit word vs. deed) --people can only be rescued if someone "learns them" the Gospel (share the "whole" Gospel). --what we learn matters for the hope of the future changes our today (renew our minds with biblical truth about our hope). --healthy Christianity is fruitful: The Gospel bears fruit and the believers bear fruit (don't accept fruitlessness as normal, "win and grow disciples"). --giving thanks and ceaseless prayer are foundational for Christ-learners (recite your learning in praise and prayerfully keep learning). --apply what they know and seek to know what they don't (act now on the knowledge of God's will that you already have).
Grateful that we can be MADE Worthy --The Gospel can make us worthy to be Saints --To be made worthy
Prayerful that we can WALK Worthy --The Gospel makes us want to walk worthy, being fully Pleasing to Jesus --To walk worthy
Lessons for Christ-Learners: --people of learning (don't pit heart vs. head). --apply what they learn to life (don't pit word vs. deed) --people can only be rescued if someone "learns them" the Gospel (share the "whole" Gospel). --what we learn matters for the hope of the future changes our today (renew our minds with biblical truth about our hope). --healthy Christianity is fruitful: The Gospel bears fruit and the believers bear fruit (don't accept fruitlessness as normal, "win and grow disciples"). --giving thanks and ceaseless prayer are foundational for Christ-learners (recite your learning in praise and prayerfully keep learning). --apply what they know and seek to know what they don't (act now on the knowledge of God's will that you already have).