Trinity Bible Church

Prayer

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him (Psalm 28:7)

Today’s Hymn

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

A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM
Click here for tune.

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

Thought Provoker

This weekend a large healing and miracle show is coming to a nearby town. The radio ads invite the listeners to come and get your miracle! The posters promise instant healing for your body or psychological problems. All too often, sick people are told that there is a direct correlation between their giving in faith and the likelihood that they will be healed. What should we think of the many claims for signs, wonders and miracles? Today’s passage helps answer the
Question whether these types of miracles are for today

Dad’s Study

How are you in identifying pronouns? Do you remember pronouns from your English grammar class? Pronouns take the place of a noun such as he, she, or it. The writer to the Hebrews teaches us an important lesson on healing from his use of pronouns in verses 3-4. How do they help us understand who performs signs and wonders?

Read together verses 3-4 and list all the pronouns, seeing if you can identify the noun to which each refers.

We/Us – The writer to the Hebrews and the Christians he is addressing.

Them – The Apostles

Him – Jesus Christ

With these substitutes the passage reads like this,

v. 3 How shall my readers and I escape, if my readers and I neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto my readers and me by the Apostles that heard Jesus;

v. 4 God also bearing the Apostles witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to Jesus’ own will?

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

We can learn from this passage that neither the author nor the Hebrews he was writing to were gifted with signs, wonders, and divers miracles. These supernatural manifestations were wonderfully reserved for the Apostles to bear witness of their apostolic authority in laying the foundation for the New Testament church. With the passing of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit has chosen not to manifest signs and wonders today through His people. Does God still do miracles? Absolutely! He is the omnipotent Lord over all, Who does as He pleases! Does He still heal people today? Yes, in those instances that please Him and fulfill His sovereign purpose. However, when a Christian is sick, he is not to go to a miracle worker; James says that he is to call for the elders to pray on his behalf (Jas. 5:14). Let our families not be deceived during these last days. Let us remember the warning of our Lord, For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (Matt. 24:24)

Catechism

Question 33

Q. What is adoption?

A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace (1 John 3:1) whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:17).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Prayer

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word (Psalm 119:15-16).

Today’s Hymn

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

A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM
Click here for tune.

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

Thought Provoker

Have you ever desired to have God speak to you? To hear His voice? Many today claim they have heard God speak to them or even through them. There is a dear lady in our nursing home who emotionally recounts at every church service that glorious time that God spoke to her by name. There are self-proclaimed prophets today who claim to speak forth the Word of God. We are surrounded by cults and false religions that declare that they have even newer revelations from God than the New Testament. Does God speak or is He silent? If He does, how does He speak to us today? We find the answers to these questions in the opening verses of Hebrews.

Dad’s Study

Hebrews is a book unlike most of the New Testament books. It is a book that ends like a letter but does not begin like one. It lacks the opening salutation with the name of the writer and the people addressed. It was not given the title, To (the) Hebrews, until the end of the first century. It is clear that this letter was written to Jewish believers in Jesus, with an unknown destination. We are just as uncertain of the letter’s author. Some believe that Paul wrote the letter (Clement of Alexandria), others argued for Barnabas (Tertullian). Calvin thought Luke wrote the book of Hebrews, and Luther suggested Apollos. It is a letter that gloriously declares the superiority of Christ to all that had preceded Him.

Does God speak to man? In the Old Testament times God spake (v. 1)! What about today? God has spoken (v. 2). Our God is not mute; He communicates to His creation. He is a person to be understood, enjoyed, and obeyed. The way God speaks to us today is far superior to the way He spoke before Christ. How did He speak during the Old Testament? He spoke unto the fathers by the prophets (v. 1). Today, however, He speaks in a way far superior. He speaks unto us by His Son (v. 2). Jesus is not like any of the prophets of old. Who is this One who speaks to us today?
• Heir of all things (v. 2). The one who speaks today for God is Jesus Christ who owns all things. Therefore, He can make good all that He promises. From the beginning to the end, He has all things at His disposal. 
• Creator of all things (v. 2). Jesus is the Creator of the heavens, earth, and all living things including you. 
• He upholds all things (v. 3). By His infinitely powerful Word, Jesus makes everything in the universe continue to work according to His sovereign plan. 
• He saves all His elect (v. 3). He has purged all our sins by the shedding of His own blood. 
• God of all things (v. 3). How can all of these marvelous things be said about Jesus? Because He is God. He radiates the glory of God, is the very image and substance of God, and rules from His throne on high (v. 3). Therefore, when He speaks, He speaks the inerrant Word of God.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

How does Jesus speak to us today? Through the written Word of the Holy Bible. The writer to the Hebrews says that He has spoken, not that He is speaking. The use of the aorist tense means that He spoke at a point in time and is not continuing to speak new revelation today. Do you want to hear God speak? Then let me encourage you to open the pages of Scripture and let Him speak. In the Bible you will find His revealed will for your life. Are you meditating on it day and night and allowing it to soak into your life? At our house we have three ways to water our lawn: with a hand held hose, with in-ground sprinklers, and by flood irrigation. When watering with the hose, the water almost evaporates before it leaves the nozzle of the hose. The sprinklers keep the lawn green, however when we flood irrigate, our lawn is immersed in 3″ of water for 24 hours and the ground becomes soaked down deep. may you immerse yourself in God’s Word, that it might soak down deep into the recesses of your heart where it can nourish you to bring forth much fruit unto God’s glory.

Catechism

Question 33

Q. What is adoption?

A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace (1 John 3:1) whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:17).

Popularity: 1% [?]

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
Click here for tune.

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
Click here for tune.

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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