Trinity Bible Church

Prayer

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head (Psalm 3:3). Heavenly Father we praise you as the God whom protects us from all of our enemies. may You lift up our heads unto Thee. may we see the brightness of Thy infinite glory. Amen.

Today’s Hymn

Words: Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880. Music: Ira D. Sankey, circa 1885.

A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM
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The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

We recently had an incident in Powell where a van occupied by a 4-year-old child rolled into an irrigation canal. The child’s mother was knocked to the ground trying to stop the van and save her child. A passerby saw this happen and reported seeing the child sitting on the front seat of the van, wide-eyed, silent, and not moving, as the van began to sink. The passerby entered the water, retrieved the child from the van before it submerged and removed him to the safety of the bank and his mother’s arms. This passerby reported to me that his only thought as he entered the water was this question, “I wonder how deep this water is?” This man was honored by our Mayor for his courage in going to the rescue of this child at the risk of danger to himself. Some people report that under the stress of life threatening circumstances such as these that their “life flashed before their eyes”. In other words, the stress of the moment brings to recollection significant events of their life. Today, in Titus 3, Paul causes the significant events of any Christian’s life to “flash before our eyes.”

Dad’s Study

Paul provides for us a synopsis of the believer’s life, broken down into the 3 significant stages which all Christians’ experience.

1. Before Christ (verse 3)
Prior to the Gospel of grace operating in our lives and transforming us into new creatures in Christ, we are still reprobate, dead in our trespasses and sins. As such we are foolish, rejecting the truth, disobedient, at enmity with God. We are deceived, pursuing after false teaching and the vain philosophies of this world, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, with our members being slaves of unrighteousness and spending our life in malice and envy, hating one another instead of loving one another as Christ has commanded us.

2. Salvation comes (verses 4-7)
But the kindness of God and His love for mankind was made manifest in the flesh in our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 4). God saved us through Christ and His finished work on the cross, not based on any merit or works of our own. It is solely on His grace and mercy, applied to us by His Holy Spirit, justifying us by His grace, and making us heirs to eternal life (verses 5- 7).

3. After Christ (verses 1-2, 8-11)
Therefore, those who have believed and are recipients of such grace are to be careful and engage in good deeds pleasing to our Lord and God (verse 8). We are to be subject to those in authority over us, obedient, and ready to do all good deeds (verse 1). We should malign no one, be uncontentious, gentle, considering others before ourselves (verse 2). We also are to shun controversy, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law since they are unprofitable for the body of Christ (verse 9). We are to reject those who engage in such things and are factious, causing strife in the body, knowing that those who cause such things are perverted and sinning. This we are to do after warnings, that perhaps first they may be turned from the error of their ways and restored to the body and its head, Jesus Christ (verses 10-11).

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Does your “Christian experience” match this template as Paul describes it? Do you look back and see yourself reprobate and dead in your sins before Christ? Do you believe that it is God that has saved you, and not you yourself by “your” faith? Do you see a change in your life since Christ, leaving behind the old and now walking in the new? If so, rejoice for the Lord has provided evidence of your salvation. If not, examine your own heart and ask yourself, “Am I really His?” If not, turn to Him today that by His kindness and His love you might be saved by His grace.

Catechism

Question 32

Q. What is justification?

A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7), and accepts us as righteous in his sight (2 Corinthians 5:21) only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us (Romans 5:19), and received by faith alone (Galatians 2:16 Philippians 3:9).

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Prayer

O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabitest the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:2-3) Amen!

Today’s Hymn

Words: Isaac Watts, Divine and Moral Songs for Children, 1715.

I SING THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD
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I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
[or I sing th'almighty power of God…]
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.

Thought Provoker

Did you know that more girls are attending college than boys? This last fall 56% of the college freshmen were females. Do you want to be a teacher? You should attend college! Do you want to be a chef? Go to a fine culinary school! But what if you want to be a Godly wife and mother. Where do you go for training? In today’s passage Paul takes us to homemaker’s school.

Dad’s Study

The highest calling for a young married lady is to excel at being a Godly wife and mother (1 Timothy 2:15; 5:14). There is no better training ground than the home. A Godly mother should be both a mentor and example to her growing family. However, many young Christian ladies never had the blessing of a Christian mom. Where are they to go for such training? Every local church is to have a school for homemaking. Who are the teachers? Paul instructs the older women to teach the younger women, “…to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:4-5). God has graced His church with Godly women who love their husbands, who work faithfully full-time in the home and have raised a Godly seed. These older women are to teach these Biblical principles of homemaking to the younger wives. We read of such Godly women throughout the history of the church. Susanna Wesley was one of those strong faithful mothers. She gave birth to 19 children in 19 years of which 10 died in child birth or infancy. She lovingly raised 9 children. Her husband shirked his spousal responsibilities and even abandoned his family, leaving Susanna to attend to her family in the face of much hardship. She has left us today her letters and biography to help guide new generations. Is school in session in your church?

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

There doesn’t have to be homemaking training on a formal level. This ministry training can be one older woman to one younger woman. Older women, God has given you much valuable learning and experience. It is His will that you pass this baton of wisdom to the next generation. Are you teaching your own daughters? Are there younger ladies in the church you could disciple in Godly homemaking? Younger ladies, if God has blessed you with a Godly mother avail yourself of her wisdom and skills. If you do not have this roll model seek one out in your church. may your church become an academy for Godly homemaking!

Catechism

Question 31

Q. What benefits do they who are effectually called, partake of in this life?

A. They who are effectually called, do in this life partake of justification, (Romans 8:30), adoption (Ephesians 1:5), sanctification, and the various benefits which in this life do either accompany, or flow from them (1 Corinthians 1:30).

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Prayer

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High (Psalm 9:2). Heavenly Father, what words can express our gladness for the grace, mercy, and peace You have wonderfully blessed all of Your children with. may we sing praises and thanksgiving unto Thy name.

Today’s Hymn

Words: John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779).

HOW SWEET THE NAME OF JESUS SOUNDS
Click here for tune.

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
‘Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.

Dear Name, the Rock on which I build,
My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace!

By Thee my prayers acceptance gain,
Although with sin defiled;
Satan accuses me in vain,
And I am owned a child.

Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
O Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy Name
Refresh my soul in death!

Thought Provoker

Just after lunch time at our house there is a daily competition to see who gets the mail. Our mailbox is about a quarter mile from our house. It usually requires a short bike ride. There is something exciting about being the person who announces the mail for the family. He can tell by just looking at the envelope who it is from and to. Junk mail is sent to Resident. Junk mail doesn’t have a stamp. Today we have new mail! We come to a new letter. In verses 1-5 we are going to take a peek at the envelope to see who it is addressed to and who it is fRomans We’re going to see if there are any hints as to what we might find inside.

Dad’s Study

FROM: Paul (vs. 1-3)

This letter is from a man with only a first name, Paul. But he adds the descriptive phrases, slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ. This is not junk mail. This is a letter from the Apostle Paul. It was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is a letter also from God Himself! In fact, Paul invites his readers to put his apostleship to the test according to the following measuring rod – his preaching, which…

1. leads God’s elect to faith.
2. is according to truth after Godliness.
3. is the message of the same eternal life promised by God before the world began.
4. is the same truth given him by Christ.

TO: Titus (v. 4)

Who was Titus? Paul adds, mine own son after the common faith (v. 4). Titus was Paul’s spiritual child because it was through the ministry of Paul that Titus owed his spiritual life. There is no reference in the New Testament of the details of his conversion to Christ. His name appears in 2 Corinthians (8 times), Galatians (2 times), 2 Timothy (once), in Titus (once). We know that he was an uncircumcised Greek (Galatians 2:3) who joined Paul somewhere along his missionary journeys. As Paul wrote this letter, Titus was serving in the island of Crete. He was an ideal pastor filled with joy and devotion (2 Corinthians 7:13-15, 8:16- 17). Paul announces three blessings that are Titus’ as evidenced by his faithful service, Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour (v. 4b).

Although this letter was written to Titus, the Holy Spirit penned it to be preserved and circulated to all believers who read the Bible. Therefore, these blessings are not unique to Titus, but are the same blessings that Christ bestows upon all of His elect. Are you a Christian? Have you been converted by God through trusting in Christ alone for forgiveness and eternal life? If so, Paul announces to you the blessings of grace, mercy, and peace.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Ask your family if they can define each one of these blessings.

• Grace. This is God’s unmerited favor operating to covert a sinner. God continues to bestow His grace (His favor) throughout eternity. It is by grace that He gives us all that we need every day.

Grace is not native but donative – William Jenkyn

• Mercy (KJV). Mercy is God having compassion on us and bestowing all of our daily needs that we cannot supply ourselves. It is God’s daily loving care for His elect pouring endlessly from His gracious heart of compassion. List some of the daily needs His mercy supplies.

Take notice not only of the mercies of God, but of God in the mercies. Mercies are never so savoury as when they savor of a Saviour – Ralph Venning.

• Peace. This is the daily condition of the soul as a result of God’s grace and mercy. It is a soul that is in harmony with God.

The godly man, when he dies, “enters into peace” (Isaiah 57:2); but while he lives, peace must enter into him – Thomas Watson.

Has God graced you with mercy and peace? Has He brought you to repentance of sin and trust in Christ’s death on the cross alone for your salvation? If God has saved you by His grace He has blessed you with grace, mercy, and peace. If these blessings are yours, stop and give thanks to your heavenly Father. If you are still in unbelief, ask God to grace you with repentance and faith. Cry out to Him for mercy. This is a prayer the He delights to answer.

Catechism

Question 30

Q. What is effectual calling?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit (2 Timothy 1:9) whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery (Acts 2:37), enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ (Acts 26:18), and renewing our wills (Ezekiel 36:26), he does persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel (John 6:44,45).

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