You know you might be a little too Reformed if....

You know you may be a little too Reformed if...

You say good providence instead of good luck.

You have a bracelet that says W.W.J.C.D and that stands for what would John Calvin Do?

You think the movie Luther makes the perfect sequel to the Passion.

Your idea of a good time is finding the largest Catholic church in town and nailing your own 95 thesis to the door.

You don't care what score you get on an exam as long as you get 5 points.

You call the good things that happened in your day common graces in normal conversation.

You know your ability to enjoy a glass of coke is only through Christ's atonement on the cross.

You know that Jonathan Edwards is not a former vice-presidential canidate or the wierd guy from "Crossing Over"

You say the only informed view is the Reformed view.

You get your date TULIPs instead of roses because they are more theological correct.

You would never date an Arminian. Not because of the obvious bad theology but because you know they would have no idea what commitment in a relationship means.

You think any of theses are funny.

Cross Training : Introduction to Apologetics

What is Cross Training?
FBCA's small group Bible Study for youth!
To any youth who may reading this here is the outline I used tonight for our first night of "Cross Training"! Thank you everyone who was there tongiht! I hope you guys had as much fun as I did.
-John

Cross Training:
Apologetics: What is it? Josh’s Mc Dowell’s answer: Its facts that support the faith. Since Christianity is true there are obviously facts that support it. If it was not true there would not be anything to support but luckily that is not the case with Christianity! Webster’s dictionary calls Apologetics a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity. Apologetics comes from a Greek word that meant answer.

1 Peter 3:15 says Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks of you to give the reason for the hope that is in you.

The context of this was Peter explaining to the persecuted church that they had an opportunity to share why they had hope in a when the were enduring persecution. There hope was testimony to the world. Our world is a little different and context is different but we still need to be ready to answer for the hope that in us to answer questions like why we believe in God, or that Jesus is the only in a world that isn’t even if truth exists.

Apologetics is tool too help you do that. Remember that people’s separation from God is a spiritual problem and not a intellectual one so we are not going to simply win people to the Lord by winning an argument or giving them other knowledge they may be lacking. Apologetics is tool that one can use to show that their faith is real, the bible can be trust, and you can have rationally reasons for believing God is real.

So why study Apologetics? Does it matter if we can not show that we have reason to believe? Why or why not? Paul used Apologetics! Lets look at 1Cor15:1-19. He says if our faith is not real we are men to be pitied!

In a world of many options the main thing that Christianity has going for it is that it is the truth. Imagine if we lost person just trying to pick a religion and hope it was the right one. Which one would we pick and why? Certainly not Christianity its too hard. You have to put down your will for others, turn the other cheek, be last when you may want to be first, be a servant to all. The beauty of Christianity is that is the truth. Apologetics is a tool that helps show that we have truth!

More reasons truth is important! Jesus Christ said I am the way, the truth, and the life! Truth is a person. Jesus Christ! If we don’t believe in truth we will always be separated from Jesus Christ!

The idea of Truth could be an apologetics lesson in itself! But I am going to show you how the idea of no such thing is silly concept. It just good for a consumer driven-have- your-way type of Post Modern world. It is self referentially incoherent That just big word way of saying that it doesn’t make any sense by its own definition! If some were to say There is no such thing as truth that they would obviously be wrong because wrong because if that statement was true then it would be you see? So obviously truth exists! In our 5 weeks of Cross Trainging we will be looking at a number of issues that we face everyday and have to do with pointing to the truth of Christianity!

1 God. Is there a God? How do we know? How many different ways are there to believe in God. What options are there when it comes to God? What is Theism what is atheism what are problems with atheism? What are arguments that suggest the existence of God

-Cosmological argument

-Teleological argument

-Ontological argument

- The Moral argument

- Plantinga’s idea that God is properly basic.

Responding to critics



2. Is Jesus the only way?

Are we prejudice when comes to religion? Are we just biased for the home team or do we have a reason for saying that Jesus is the only? Why do not all religions lead to God. If God is loving God how can they only be one way? Is not being a good person enough?

Who was Jesus really? Was the historical Jesus different than the Jesus we know?

3. Science and Scripture?

Why does it seem like they disagree?

Are the scriptures really perfect and with error? How do we know?

What about science? Is science ever wrong?

Creationism vs. Evolution?

- am I blindly believing in Creationism because I am supposed to because I am a Christian? Is the Theory of Evolution truly scientific?

4. Is Christianity Different?

There are some many religions out there what makes Christianity different? Is it different? Do all religions teach the same thing. How about other Christian groups are they really Christian? Can we call Catholics Christians? How about Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses? How do we know what makes some one Christian?

Having looked at these issues and seeing what Apologetics are I hope you can see the importance of Apologetics. I also your appetite is wetted are will be coming thinking, ready to learn, and questioning!

Justice Sunday

Justice Sunday

WOAH!!!!!!!!!!! Justice Sunday! Have you guys heard about this?!?!?! Apparently this Sunday tomorrow at 7:00PM- 8:30PM there will be simulcast at Highview Baptist Church
( http://www.highviewbaptist.org/) on trying to engage Christians concerning the filibustering by democrats in the Senate concerning appointment Bush’s judicial nominees This is amazingly interesting that it going to be a simulcast to address Christians on the issue! I am still not exactly sure how I feel about this, but I know this is big news for Evangelical Christians and for people who care about the cultural war going on in this country!

Making things more interesting Senator Bill Frist is going to be on the show. If you check out yahoo news you can see people are already upset saying that he is mingling Religion and Politics. You know the next liberal war cry will be violation of Church and State! He is being accused by the left of “pandering to the religious right”. Not only that he is being a sent a petition by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee not to politicize faith. I actually confess I do not know much about Frist and can not make informed opinion on what I think about him but I think its interesting again how the left are saying disassociate yourself with religion! That is the thing that he and others are taking a stand on! That strong personal beliefs should not disqualify you from public service! That is just plain prejudice and bigotry to say you can not have certain job because of who you are and what you believe!!!!! It is amazing how some in this country want to twist the concept of freedom of religion to mean you can not express religion! That is why freedom of religion was so dear to the United States and our American history and heritage! It is completely amazing to me how the same people who preach universal tolerance of absolutely EVERYTHING are so completely intolerant when it comes to people having strong convictions and faith! We are not talking Jesus Christ, or Sola Scriptura, or One Way we are talking about something as general as people acting on convictions! It seems like the left is saying we don’t want anybody with CONVICTIONS because that makes them biased! How incredibly intolerant is that! From the same people who preach that the only sin that exist is that of intolerance! And they call religious people hypocrites!

It is an interesting it major battle in the culture war in the country. It is also nice to see Evangelicals standing up against the religious discrimination in the government. I still have a few reservations if this is the right way. It is interesting too that it is in support of a Catholic nominee showing that it is not about an evangelical agenda being pushed! This is something that we need to have our eye on for so many reasons. Never before has a filibuster been used this way to block a nominee! What happens next will be interesting. Democrats are already threatening to respond by shutting down the government like the Republicans did back in the day during the Clinton years. So if we are able to end the filibuster for blocking nominees then what? Will some one just make a law against all filibustering how will this change the political landscape? Will it give the party in power too much power or does it do something necessary to end needless road blocks for accomplishing the will of the people in the legislature?
Another issue that must be dealt with is what is the Christian response to something like ‘Justice Sunday’. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand I am happy to see Evangelicals taking a stand and engaging the culture and a nation. But here is what scares me is this Conservative Christianity making an alliance with a certain political party? It seems like they are just standing up against judicial tyranny and religious discrimination that has been too prevalent in the government. But can we do that with out making an unholy alliance with a political party? I seriously want to know what you think. Please leave a comment on this or anything else from this blog.(btw anyone can post a comment you don’t have to be blogger since I know a few were wondering) It raises another question how can Christians responsibly engage the political world with out making God a political party member? How do we engage the dirty world of politics while keeping ourselves clean and not tarnishing our faith as we do it? It seems often like our choice is always the lesser of two evils in politics how can we avoid endorsing any evil big or small.(theological yes I know no sin is bigger than the next so that intensifies our problem of not supporting anything evil even if it is “lesser”) Like I said I don’t think this is an alliance of the Republican party and Christianity but you know what that is not how the rest of the world thinks of it! They often view the religious right as group of people that are being used by Republicans. So what is our response to that?

Lastly, I want to ask as Christians with Justice Sunday in the news do we realize it is an Evangelism opportunity. There is going to be all kinds of liberal backlash to what is going on. People will probably be angry with the religious right for trying to interfere with politics and the direction this country is headed. As a Southern Baptist I can imagine trying to explain to people why people like Al Mohler are involved and why is the simulcast being broadcasted in a church going to churches. That gives Christians lots to explain. You know you will hear things about the “separation of church and state.” It is an opportunity to remind people that it was Christians who came up with idea of the separation of church and state and that was not because any secular state said so. It is an opportunity so say why we believe what we believe. That people should not be denied a job because they have convictions! We can also be ready to explain why we have convictions. That there is a difference between right and wrong. Not a subjective difference that is culturally produced but an objective difference that we can know by the law given to all mankind by a sovereign, authoritative Lord of all creation. Truth too is not relative. Truth is really knowable and that truth is a person. His name is Jesus Christ! (John 14:6) 1 Peter 3:15 says …be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that in you… Peter was telling this to the persecuted church during the Emperor Nero‘s reign to be ready to explain to the world why they had hope when the rest of the world would think they should be sad wretches due to their persecution. The world at that time thought they should have no hope. Can we explain to the world that thinks we should not have any convictions or real reason to believe in an objective understanding of right and wrong as we well as truth when it goes against the flow and may cause us not to agree with everyone, or be politically incorrect or make any sense in the world’s eyes? To the world that can not discern their left hand from their right.

For More on Justice Sunday see:
Family Research Council
https://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=EV05D03
or from Highview Baptist Church
http://highviewbaptist.org/
or yahoo news
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?

a Joke

For some reasoning I was sitting through my Personalty Psychology class and I remember a joke that Josh Haus told back in the day awhile ago. Its kinda silly but also kinda really funny for those who will get so here goes:

Who is Free Willy's favorite theologian?

Jacobus Arminius

New Bible Study On Ephesians

Hey! Now that we ended our Bible Study on 1 Peter we will now go into Ephesians!!!!!! To any Kent Stater who goes to the Monday Night Bible Study the outline is a little different. Remember how my outlines for 1 Peter were more like a commentary?(so much so that if you double spaced them they'd be 5 pages for a single outline and if you were to put them all together you'd have The John Babri Commentary On 1 Peter) Well, I am doing things a little different now. The outline will be a true outline. It won't be nearly as detailed or complete. The upside is it leaves more room for notes and it won't take me 1 hour and half to go through 14 verses. Anyway enjoy:

Ephesians 1: 1-14

v.1-2 Paul’s greeting to Ephesus. For a quick background on Ephesus look at Acts 19 and Revelation 2:1-7. For problems Ephesus was dealing with look at 1 Tim1:4, 1:7 and4:3

I. v.4-6 God’s Redemptive Plan for the World from Eternity Past

V.4 we were chosen to be holy
V.5 we were chosen to be adopted sons of God
V6 we were chosen to be to bring God glory

Lets look at Col 1:15-18. Why do I include that here? What does this tell us about Christ and the universe? Can we see why the universe is here in theses verses Lets look at Romans 3:9-20 What do these verses say that should make us more grateful for God’s plan for us?

Others places that deal with God’s election of his people are: 1 Thes 1:3,4 2 Thes2:13, 2 Tim2:10 and Romans 8:29, 9:11.

When talking about salvation why does Paul here emphasize God’s election of us? What point was he making? According to v.5 and 6 why is anyone predestined?

II. v.7-11 Our Benefits our God’s Plan for Us Now

V.7 describes the riches we have according to God’s grace what are they? Why are they ‘riches’ of God’s grace?
V.9 God has now made know to the mystery of his will. What is the mystery? What is the will?
V.11 Here its says we have obtained an inheritance. How does one receive an inheritance? Compare this verse to 1 Peter 1:3,4

Lets look at Romans 5:6-11. How does this compliment what we see here?

III. v.12-14 The Future Benefits of God’s Plan

V.12 this verse says that we who trusted in Christ should be to the praise and glory of Christ. This word implies purpose. What is our purpose?
V.13 The rest of the chapter dealt with our salvation from God’s perspective what does 1 verse say we did as part of our Salvation? Bonus question: what is wrong in my last question? How could I have better stated it to be biblically correct? Once we get saved we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. What role does the Holy Spirit play in our salvation? How does this verse run against other people’s idea that you ‘get’ the Holy Spirit sometime after salvation?
V.14 The Holy Spirit is called the guarantee of our inheritance. What is our inheritance and how is the Holy Spirit our guarantee?

Some themes from this passage are inheritance, promise, and guarantee? Does this remind you of anything for the Old Testament? Lets compare our promise and inheritance to that of Abraham’s. For a summary of the promise made to Abraham lets looks at Gal 3:15-18 and to see the promise made to Abraham look at Gen 12:1-3. What do we have in common with Abraham? What is different? How does it all work together to point to one redemptive plan for the world?

Application Questions: Can we describe from this passage the role of each member of the trinity in God’s redemptive plan? What can we praise God for in this passage? What can we take comfort in? How would this theology here presented by Paul encourage the church at Ephesus? What problem do you think Ephesus was dealing with that lead Paul to start out his letter this theological look at God’s Redemptive Plan and our salvation. How is that relevant to today? This passage is packed with awesome theological truth but that does mean it is not practical! All theology is! How does a having a clear understanding of theses truth impact us in our daily lives?

A Few Of My Favorite Things!

Hey I am putting this post up so no one will think I am neglecting my blog now that I've started my internship. So I decided why not put up links to a few of my favorite things...(whos singing the song....)

Lets start with Blogs so you will have something good to read when you are reading mine.
http://www.mullinsmusings.blogspot.com/
this is by Dave Mullins. Awesome Awesome Awesome guy. I first met as the Program Director at Skyview Ranch and was able to become good freinds with him. Definately a person God has used in my life to shape me in understanding of ministry, value and application of the Bible, as well as helping me become a disciple of John MacArthur. He is now part of the Pastoral Staff of Emmaneul Baptist Church in Toledo (http://emmanuelbaptist.com/). His blog is kinda like having a discussion on theology.. or politics.. or both.. Enjoy.

http://www.thornyisemerging.typepad.com/
This is by Chris Thornesberry another dear freind and brother in Christ. He used to be the Associate Pastor of my Church now hes a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Hes been a good and faithful freind. I also now sit in what was his old office which kinda weird. Any his blog is cool you can find videos of him on his blog discussing how to engage the post modern culture from a Christian perspective. Enjoy.

http://www.albertmohler.com/
This is Al Mohler's homepage with links to both his blog and his radio show I highly recommend both! Especially if you never heard his radio show check it out! He is also the president of the school I ll soon be going to!

Ok now moving on to non blog related links
http://www.fbcaurora.org/
This is my church! Where I am doing my internship! My picture is not up there yet but its still worth a look. I love my church. God has certainly blessed me with First Baptist

http://www.skyviewranch.org/
Skyview Ranch I am going to miss the place. This is where I spent the last 3 summers of my life as a Counselor. Its a place where many come to meet the love of their life........... Jesus Christ.

http://www.sbts.edu/
Thats my school! I'll be in class Aug 15! Its also where Al Mohler is president! Without making him an idol hes one of my heroes. I actually asked myself once "What would Al Mohler do?"

http://www.gty.org/
Grace to You! The Bible teaching of John MacArthur. Its also is the way Dave Mullins ends his emails.

http://www.alliancenet.org/
If you have not seen this before you have to see it now. Its kinda like the "Superfreinds" of true Evangelical Christianity.

http://www.charityministries.org/tapeministry/index.cfm
This links you to the tape ministy of Charity Gospel Ministries they are an Ana-baptist group so they are little diffent but very good. Try to listen to a Sermon by Denny Kenaston or "brother Denny" as we affectionately call him.

http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Skylight112
This is Jason Milich's Xanga. I almost did not put the link here just because its Xanga (hence its not with the other blogs) But Jason is one of my best freinds so there you go. It also looks like he might soon be a Youth Pastor in West Virginia! So lets pray for him every now and then.

Ok well enjoy.
-John

Bible Study on 1 Peter 5

1 Peter 5

Introduction and Big Ideas: Peter concludes his epistle to the suffering and persecuted church with a number of practical and instructions after spending the beginning of the book to redirecting the church to the goodness of God evidenced by his great gift of salvation. Then Peter tells the church how live and standout in the unsaved world through glorifying God through submission. Next Peter went on to explain the many benefits of suffering and then reminding the church that they can rejoice in their suffering and that it is not in vain. Peter concludes the epistle with exhortation to elders, reiterating the theme of submission and humility, resistance to devil and finally the reminder that God works all things for good even in the midst of suffering.

V.1-4 Instruction and Exhortation to the Elders
V.1 Peter now turns to encouraging the elders who like the rest of the church are probably in great need of encouragement during persecution. Peter encourages them in 3 ways: 1 Identifying with them 2 reminding them there suffering is for Christ. 3 reminding them that they are a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. The Greek word here that is translated ‘elder’ is presbuterous where we get our English word Presbyterian. The use of this word helps make it clear that Peter is not just talking about old people in the church but the office of elder. The same Greek word is used in 1 Tim 5:17. For more on the office of elder see 1 Tim 3:1-7, 1 Tim5:17-20, Titus 1:5-9
V.2-3 After Peter encourages the elders he then tells them both how to and how not to shepherd the flock. Things to do: shepherd willing, eagerly, being examples to the flock. Things not to do: shepherd under compulsion, for dishonest gain, lording over those entrusted to the shepherd. Also note the Peter is instructing the elders how to shepherd the flock this is another clue that the kind of elders Peter is referring to is the office of elder and not just older people.
V.4 This describes the reward of God’s faithful shepherds. When the Jesus the chief shepherd appears he the over-shepherd will reward the under-shepherds with the crown of glory which does not fade away. This was another way Peter encouraged the elders of the persecuted church by reminding them that their work is not unnoticed and will not go unrewarded.
Application Questions: What can we biblically expect from those who shepherd over us? How can we encourage our shepherds?

V.5-7 Humility and Submitting to God
V.5 In v. 5 Peter turns his attention to those under the elders by telling them to submit to the elders. Then Peter takes the theme of submission and says all of you are to be submissive to everyone and be clothed with humility. Then Peter quotes Prov 3:34 showing that humility should be what characterize a Christian and that is what God rewards.
V.6 Since God opposes the proud we should humble ourselves under God. The verse says the mighty hand of God this carries the idea that the one we humble our self under is the mighty, sovereign Lord who should rightly and logically humble our self under anyway. The end of the verse tells us how God will at the right time reward those who humble themselves at the right time. Again this is great encouragement to those who are going through persecution that the Sovereign Lord in his timing will exalt them for their humility. The principle that those who humble themselves will be exalted is all through out scripture. See Luke 14:11 The converse is true too that those who selfishly exalt themselves will be humbled.
V.7 This verse tells us to cast our care on God for he cares for us. This is encouraging for any believer at anytime but especially true to the persecuted church Peter is writing to. We can have calm and peace in the midst of all of life’s trouble knowing that the Lord of all creation cares for us. Compare this to Phil 4:6, 7 and Matt 6:25-34
Application Questions: What does humility look like everyday in our Christian walks? What happens when we humble ourselves? Who will oppose us if we do not humble ourselves? What can we have confidence in when we go through times of trouble?

V.8-11 Resisting the Devil and Edification in Suffering
V.8 Peter tells us to be on guard and alert because we have an enemy ready to pounce on us whenever he has an opportunity. Picture a zebra in the wilderness constantly aware of the presence of lions in the jungle. This is also a reminder to the church that their suffering and persecution is part of the on going spiritual warfare that is in the world.
V.9 The method of resistance of the devil is by standing fast in the faith. This is done by abiding in the word and obeying it. To quote John MacArthur “as the believer knows sound doctrine and obeys God’s truth, Satan is withstood.” Going back to the zebra analogy a single, lonely, isolated zebra is likely to become lion food. But a zebra traveling in herd as it should, will have a much greater chance of not getting picked off by the lion. The same is true of believers a loner believer with out sound doctrine can more easily be pounced on by Satan then a believer with sound doctrine surrounded by a church for protection. The end of the verses reminds the church that the trials they are going through are not unique to them but common of all believers everywhere. This helps them to know they are not going it alone and to preserve through trials. See James 4:7
V.10 This tells the believer though on the one hand they are going through suffering on the other hand Christ is working on you. He is perfecting, establishing, strengthening, and settling you in the midst of it. Remember that God works all things together for good to those who love him to those who are the called according to his purposes Rom 8:28. God brings good out of what may at the times only look bad to us.
V11. This verse ends this section with praise to Jesus for how he works his purposes in his ways even in our trials.
Application Questions: What attitude should we have knowing the Satan is real and ready to oppose us because we stand for Christ? How is the enemy resisted? Why can we rejoice when we are going through trials what does this practically look like?

V.12-14 The Conclusion:
V.12 Apparently Silvanus was the one who Peter dictated the letter to and delivered the letter. Silvanus is mentioned in Acts 15:32 and Acts 16:37. Peter reveals his purpose for writing the letter to exhort the church and to tesitify to them about the grace they stand in. Another way of putting it to encourage them and show them the spiritual reality of what they are blessed with and how they can apply it.
V.13 Babylon here does not refer to the nation in Mesopotamia but to a church in Rome. They probably took this code name to avoid persecution and danger to the church. The elect together with you is a reminder that all church are tied together and have in common their relationship to Christ though election. Mark is the spiritual son as Peter and the author of the Gospel of Mark.
V.14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.. I am going to let you make your own interpretation and application of this verse. Keep in mind Scripture is inerrant and God wants you to obey all his commands. The way some Anabaptists groups practice this is by men kissing men and women kissing women during the service maybe that is how it was done in ancient times. Many of Paul’s epistles also end with this same instruction. The last line of Peter’s epistle wishes peace to the church that has been experiencing anything but peace in their persecution.
Application Question: How does what we know about in V.12 help us to interpret and understand the rest of the book?

Wrap Up and Review: Having gone through 1 Peter what we now know about the nature of salvation and all the benefits of suffering should change the way we react to it. We all have suffered at various points in our lives and will at times in the future we also know people who may be suffering now. Let us now be ready to glorify God in all that we go through and exalt and magnify Christ no matter what may happen to us. Let us not waste an opportunity to glorify the Lord. Specifically from this chapter we now know what to biblically expect from those who shepherd over us. Will we hold them accountable to God’s standard? Will we willing submit to their leading? How about the always constant theme of humility and submission? Will we let any pride stand in our way of obeying and glorifying God? Are we prepared for the spiritual battle of life? If not why not? How will you change to get prepared? Lastly, can we always remember and recognize that God is always good no matter what we go through? Think how are we going to let these truths change our lives? The 3 steps of Bible study of observation, interpretation, and application. What steps do you need to take to complete your bible study with application?

Three Great Thelogical Minds: John Babri, Al Mohler, and Chris Thornesberry. At Southern Baptist Theological Seminary during the 2002 Collogiate Conference

My Bio!

Hey, If you have not yet heard I am now the Pastoral Intern of my Church! I am so excited! God has been so gracious and good to me!
My Pastor asked me to write my biography for the Church bulletin so I decided to share that here.

I was born in Detroit Mi and grew up Northeast Ohio. I was not raised in a Christian home and was void of any spiritual influences until God in his grace rescued me out of my devout atheism. Christ entered my life four years ago during my senior of high school. God revealed himself to me as the answer to the void of meaning in my life. God first cracked my hardened heart though the testimony of creation and then brought me to a saving knowledge of him through the hearing and understanding of the Gospel. Meeting Christ then radically changed my life from the inside out. I went from a life characterized by the despair of only knowing the vanity of life to a life marked by the joy knowing the living and real God who created me. After my salvation I then grew to develop a love for the word of God which allowed me to get know and have fellowship with my new found Savoir.

After I graduated from Stow-Munroefalls Highschool I started attending Kent State University. This would both challenge and strengthen my faith. During my time at Kent I developed a burden for my campus and then got involved with many Campus Ministries and would lead a number of small group Bible Studies. I started my time at Kent studying International Relations and with a minor in Russian. Responding to God’s call in my life I changed my major to Conflict Management with a minor in Religion Studies to prepare me for a Seminary education and ministry. I graduate from Kent State this summer using my Pastoral Internship to fulfill my Conflict Management Internship requirement.

My summers were spent as a Counselor at Skyview Ranch, a Christian camp and retreat center in Millersburg, At Skyview I was responsible for evangelizing and disciplining campers of all ages. During my three summers at Skyview I was able lead 24 of my campers to Lord. During my time at Skyview God confirmed to me his calling in my life showing me that he will use whoever is willing to be used. God also did much to equip for ministry during my time at the Skyview.

I joined First Baptist in the fall of 2003. I was first drawn to First Baptist through the love shown to me by members of First Baptist through Crosswalk Colligate Ministries. I am thankful for the church family I have in First Baptist.

I am currently planning on attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall. I am very excited about serving as the Pastoral Intern. I count it privilege and honor to be serving First Baptist in this way as well being trained and invested in by the church for future ministry. I thank God for his extreme goodness and unmerited graciousness to me!

Bible Study on 1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4

Introduction and Big Ideas: In Chapter 4 Peter continues the theme of the suffering. Yet is not a sad thing! We can arm ours selves in spiritual battle with suffering, We can expect suffering, and we can gladly rejoice in it and be partaker of Christ’s suffering!

V.1-6 Arm Yourself With Christ’s Mindset of Suffering!
V1. Peter’s first instruction is to be armed with the same mind of Christ. In this context that is referring to Christ’s mind as being a suffering servant! To we are to arm ourselves with suffering like Christ! This instruction comes right after explaining to the power of Christ’s suffering (1 Peter 3:18-22 as well as a constant theme all through out 1 Peter) That why Peter says v1 Therefore since Christ suffered… We are to arm ourselves with Christ’s example of suffering. We have seen from Christ example and first 1 Peter 3:18-22 the power of suffering. Through Christ achieved from his suffering the redemption of the world, conquering of sin and death, defeating the power of Satan, etc..(the list of benefits of Christ atonement far exceeds this list). Therefore we too are arm ourselves with suffering. Arm obviously caring the connotation of getting ready for battle. Suffering in not merely something unfortunate that happens to us as we live the Christian but something that can be used a spiritual weapon against the world because the testimony of Christ is clearly seen in it. The rest of the verse concludes he who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. I looked 3 different Bible teachers comment on the verse and came up with 3 different explanations. My simple interpretation is that when you are suffering righteously for Christ you will not be sinning. So it is better so know that in your suffering for Christ if you are suffering truly for Christ you can not be anything but righteous. Compare this with Phil2:5 about having the mind of Christ.
V.2-3 Theses verses describe our former life style and contrast it with the new life we should be living now v 2no longer living in the flesh …but for the will of God. The contrast is that when we in flesh we lived by the flesh doing the will of the Gentiles such as lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties and abominable idolatries but now we should be seeking the will of God. v3 That is our past life time and we are no longer to walk that way. See Romans 6:1-14 on living the new life in the spirit versus the old life in the flesh.
V.4 This verse explains how the world will react once we no longer join them in their sinful behavior. The result we can expect is that they will speak evil of you.
Application Question: can you think of time when you did join in with the world any longer in their behavior and then had to explain it? If not why not?
V.5-6 Though the unsaved currently are sinning they will have to give account to God who will judge both the living and the dead. V6 Then says for this reason the gospel is preached. What reason? 5 That the living and dead will have to give an account to God. Without Christ there is no way to pay your account to God. The dead in v.6 does not meaning that anyone is preaching the gospel to corpses or the spiritually dead. But to those who have died before the writing of the Epistle that is but were alive when they heard the gospel. That is the only way they could be live according to God in the spirit, though judged by men according to the flesh.

Serving God Remembering the End is Near V7-11
V7-8. Peter reminds us that the return of Christ is imminent. We want to be ready to meet him. We then receive many instructions from Peter on wow to do this: Be watchful in your prayer, have fervent love for one another, be hospitable without grumbling minister with your spiritual gifts. In v. 8 Peter quotes love covers a multitude of sins citing Prov 10:12 Note the difference important difference between covering sins and atoning for sins. Christ is the only atonement for sin.
Application: what does it mean to let love cover a multitude of sin? How do you do that?

V.9-11 Peter now tells us how to be proper stewards of our spiritual gifts. These verses show that we have received different spiritual gifts as believers. Each are to be used for the glory of God. v.9 Says we are to use our different gifts to minister to one another. Not that gifts are given by the grave of God. These are gifts not earned or achieved. Which are gifted for specific ministries God has designed us to do (Eph 2:10) For more on spiritual gifts see 1Cor 12 for more on spiritual gifts the different varieties and uses of.

Expect Suffering and Rejoice In It
V.12-16 These verses once again let know the blessing in suffering. In v.12 Peter says no to think it strange when you suffer. But to the contrary when you are suffering you must being doing a good job because you are being a partaker with Christ in his suffering. v.13 reminds the suffering Christian that he will have great joy at meeting Christ do his faithfulness. v.14 Moreover when you are reproached for Christ you have reason to be glad since you have God’s approval since the Spirit of Glory rest upon you. Note v.14 on the difference between the blaspheme of Christ when they reproach you but the glorification of Christ for your Christ-likeness that brought the reproach. Remember what Jesus said in Matt 10:24
V.15-16. Peter says let the Christian suffer like a Christian and not be ashamed and so glorify God in his suffering and not suffering like sinner listed in v15. A Christian needs to evaluate his suffering. If it is for Christ he has reason to rejoice!
Application: When you suffer will you do gladly? Do you have reason to rejoice? Is your suffering because you reflect Christ to hostile world? Or is because you somehow rightly brought upon yourself? If it is the former you can rejoice and not be ashamed knowing that you were counted worthy to be a partaker in Christ’s sufferings.

The Contrast of the Judgment of Godly and Ungodly
V17-19 Peter reminds the persecuted believers and us that there is a judgment and this world is not the end of it all. Peter contrasts the suffering of the Godly and the judgment of the wicked. The reminder is that God purges the Church he loves how much more God’s fury will be to the unbeliever. Peter cites Prov11:31. This is an encouragement to the persecuted church that God is not indifferent to those who are causing them to suffer. They will at their appointed time get their judgment. God does not merely call to Christian to suffer while the ungodly continue to sin without accountability. The chapter closes with the instruction to let those who suffer to do it to the will of God entrusting themselves to their creator. Interesting to not that sometime God was his people to go through suffering to their benefit God the creator knowing what is best for his creation and with the right to deal with his creation as he pleases.

Wrap Up and Review: With the theme of suffering continued the value is clearly seen in 1 Peter 4. Something that may be thought to be put us on the defensive can will put us on the offensive in the spiritual battle to exalt Christ. The world will also see that we are different by the way we react to it. What does our reaction to the world about Christ? Does the world see someone who is serving a higher cause the obedience to and glorification of a sovereign and almighty God? Can you rejoice in your suffering and know that you were counted to worthy to be a partaker of Christ’s suffering. Peter constantly warns not suffer as sinner but to be not ashamed in it. This is true can be true if you are disciple taking the suffering that comes from reproach from serving the master. Is it true of you? Are you so countercultural that reflect the master more than the word? If it is continue serving hard know that your trials are your badge of honor that reveal who you serve and with devotion you serve him with!