Category: Better Together

Re:Verse passage – 2 Timothy 3:14-17(day six)

The Bible is not a rudder. A rudder is a marvelous tool that allows a captain to steer the vessel the direction he desires. It has no authority or command of its own.

There are many churches today that use the Bible like a rudder, twisting and turning it the direction they want to go. In their hands the Bible does not correct, teach, or guide; it only functions as a tool for blind guides.

The Bible is not a Rudder, it is rather the Captain’s commands. The Captain’s commands carry weight, authority, wisdom, and knowledge that steers the ship the direction it MUST go, simply because they come from the the Captain. Everyone on the vessel listens and obeys the Captain’s commands, and if they don’t the Captain’s own words corrects them.

That has been the legacy of the Bible in the First Baptist family. And I am thankful.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Timothy 3:14-17(day five)  “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,”.   One of the greatest privileges in my days of youth ministry, was “partnering” with volunteers, parents, and grandparents to disciple teenagers. Such a wise strategy found in the scriptures- ministers, mentors, parents, and grandparents all speaking the truth of scripture into the minds and hearts of children and youth. I love how Paul describes Timothy’s faith- “things you have become convinced of”. Preaching, teaching, family devotions, bedtime prayers – all used by the Spirit to convince a young heart and mind of the purpose and power of the scriptures. Salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  So, who are you talking to?  Who is talking to you? We can be used to convince. We still need to be convinced.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day four)

What a concise, complete description of the purpose or work of Scripture!  Scripture is not an end to itself, it leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  It accomplishes four tasks in the lives of believers…teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.  What a gift we have in the inspired Word of God!

Looking for direction in life?  Looking for a course change…or preparation for things to come?  God has provided for you, long before you were even aware of your need.  From the beginning of time, God has proclaimed His message of forgiveness and salvation by faith.  His inspired Word has pointed the way.  Men have sought to discount the value of the Word…they have tried to discredit the truth of the Word…they have labored to dishonor God, the Author…all without success.  God’s Word will endure forever.  Make it a part of your daily life and you will always be equipped for every good work!

Re:Verse passage – 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day three) 

“…knowing from whom you have learned them…”

Here’s something true about a local congregation: You know these people. Your Sunday school teacher is ­­________. Your fellow committee member is _________. You and _______ became friends at a single adults retreat in 1985 or whatever. The point is that peers, teachers, pastors, ministry project partners – these folks know you, and you know them. And sometimes, you get tired of them. They always say the same thing about certain scriptures. You and they disagree on various issues, etc. Maybe they’d admit to feeling the same about you, too. That’s not good or bad. It’s just everyday church. And it’s in the repetitive, predictable aspects of congregational life that Christ will show himself faithful to you. These people would die for you, you for them, and you teach each other about the Lord. That’s eternal.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day two)  and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. vs. 15

Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

I love my Bible. I read it every day. I read it for many reasons, not the least of which is a directive from the Lord to meditate on these words, hide them in my heart, to teach them to my children. The words give insight each time I study them. In our passage this week Paul gives us an remarkable picture of the result of “training up a child.” Paul reminds Timothy that he has trained for this. This thoughtful, intentional grounding given by Timothy’s mother and grandmother begins to bear fruit as he enters the mission field. What are we giving to our children? Are we training them for the work to which we are all called? If we aren’t, who is? If we are indeed striving to be Better Together, doesn’t that begin with a grounding in God’s Word? Let the training begin.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:15-17, Ephesians 5:22-32 (day seven)

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”  Ephesians 8:15

If you have seen the banners around church recently, you know that Monday begins Impact Youth Camp. If you have seen those banners you have seen our image for this year features a lion with the word FEARLESS in the middle.

There is a subliminal message in that image. It is easy to allow the spirit of fear to burden our hearts and minds, but as the Lord (Lion of Judah) adopts us into Hs family, He removes that fear. In its place, He instills in us a spirit of “power and love and discipline” (2 Tim 1:7).  Would you please pray for our students this week? Pray that they would be released from their burdens of slavery. Pray that they are equipped to share their faith without fear. Pray that they are emboldened to reach their friends and loved ones with the Gospel. Pray for those who will cry out “Abba! Father!” for the very first time! Pray that our students realize how much Better we are Together! 

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:15-17, Ephesians 5:22-32 (day six)

“Father, may they be one, as we are one…”-Jesus, John 17:21

In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul introduced the human body as a metaphor for the church. In Romans 8 and Ephesians 5, although indirectly, Paul describes the church as a family, and as a bride respectively. These metaphors suggest that God perceives his church not only as a group of individuals, but as one.  This requires we adjust our own perspective, learning to think about our own identity in the same way God does. We are so enamored with the self (reinforced by our culture with a steady gushing current of self-centering, self-exalting ideologies), that it is really challenging to see our interconnectedness, and what that means as the church.

That’s why we encourage you to really consider what it means to be Better Together. This is not just a noble catchphrase, but describes the core of our identity that we have together in Jesus. If we miss this; if we don’t pursue it, then we won’t fully experience the kind of fruitfulness and good work Jesus prayed for.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:15-17, Ephesians 5:22-32 (day five)  

One of the great possibilities that God designed for families is the chance to learn and model the gospel (to and from each other and to others outside our homes). It is an amazing concept to wrap our minds around. The gospel can be proclaimed and portrayed in every household that is made up of believers who understand and follow the scriptures. Wanna teach your children and grandchildren the gospel?  Then one of the ways is to practice the principles found in a Godly Marriage. Wanna show the neighborhood what a loving savior looks like and how people should respond in trust and obedience to that amazing love?  Clearly and consistently live out God’s design for marriage.  The world gets to see a compelling picture of the Savior and a picture of the Church. That is remarkable!

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:15-17, Ephesians 5:22-32 (day four)

When Paul wrote these words about the sacredness of marriage and the relationship of Christ and the Church, they were somewhat radical and counter to the prevailing culture.  They were not new though.  Paul references back to the beginning of time in Genesis 2 as to the relationship within the marriage.  The Greek, Roman, and pagan cultures had cheapened the view of the marriage relationship.  Now, centuries later, the biblical standard for marriage is becoming a radical change from the modern, post-evangelical culture.  Once again, the marriage relationship, as established by God, is being over-shadowed by the non-biblical cheapening of the relationship between a man and a woman.

Why is this a dangerous trend?  The marriage relationship is a picture of the body of the Church and the person of Jesus Christ.  To abandon the biblical relationship of marriage is to paint a false picture of our relationship with Christ.  As believers…as the church…we must give a clear, accurate picture of God’s love and plan for man.  The world needs the truth!