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Three Distinctives of Trinity Bible Church (Portions originally presented to North Branch Clergy Association 9/7/04) Introduction: We started out this summer with a book study, “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church”. What did we find out? My thoughts about what to preach today have been many this past week. Should I jump back into the Gospel of John study? Or rehearse some of the past five sermons from guest preachers? Maybe I’m to preach against ….? I decided it to be best to get us centered on - why we are a church and - what is our mission. I. History During the 1960’s and 70’s, there were spiritual awakenings throughout the USA and the “Lakes Area” was no different. Forest Lake was the scene of several large evangelistic campaigns such as The Tri-County Crusade, The Lundstrums, and others. Different groups formed home Bible studies to continue rejoicing in God’s mercy and goodness to them, one of those groups decided God wanted them to start a new church in the area and so in October of 1980, our church was born. The desire to have an *evangelical church with sound Biblical and doctrinal preaching coupled with *charismatic worship was the foundation of this brand new church. We thank God for the evangelist, Rev. Dennis Davenport, that helped the church to organize, but after 2 ½ years, he realized that his gifts and callings were needed elsewhere. In February of 1983, Rev. Gene Friberg was called to become our pastor. Our congregation met in different facilities in Forest Lake before buying and converting the old Kingdom Hall building on Highway 8 just west of Chisago City. In June of 2001 we purchased our current building here on Kable Ave. II. Membership Some churches will say, “If you attend faithfully and tithe, you are a member”. But at TBC there is an official membership roll, a New Members class, and the responsibility of the local body of Believers to “police its own ranks”. (See TBC’s Membership Covenant). The governmental style is a blend of the Presbyterian and Congregational. The Church Council has the responsibility for the “everyday” decisions of the church, and the congregation has voting responsibility on all major decisions. III. Doctrinal. It is obvious to many that Trinity Bible Church’s doctrinal position is defined by its very name. If we are distinct in any way, it would be that we are *Evangelical, *Charismatic, and *Reformed. (The following is very brief, see bottom for links to further study). A. Evangelical John 1:10-13; 3:3 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." NKJV 1. How do most Americans define themselves as Christians? Don’t they say something like, “I’m not a Moslem” or “I’m not Jewish”, as if they are Christian by elimination? But Jesus has called to a narrow way and a straight path; we are to be defined by what we are, not by what we are not! 2. Being an Evangelical means we embrace the historic, orthodox teachings of the Christian faith (see our Welcome brochure and web site) and we must be born-again through a personal faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ B. Charismatic 1 Cor 14:39-40 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. NKJV 1. Have you ever heard the term “Cessationist”? It comes from the word “Cease”. There are churches in our area that preach and teach that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as outlined in 1 Cor. 12 – 14, ceased to exist for the use by the Church after the Apostles died. They believe this partly from obscure Bible verses like “Tongues shall cease” and mostly through bad experiences with people saying God is using them in the Gifts. 2. Remember the verse in Hebrews where it is said of Jesus, “The same, yesterday, today, and forever.”? Using that principal in doing Biblical interpretation, the simplest level reader of the Bible should be able to follow the will of God today. · Jesus loved them – He loves me too. · Jesus rose from the dead and offers new life to them – He offers new life to me. · The Angel told them He would return – If I’m alive when He does, I will see Him. · Jesus healed the sick – He can heal me. · Jesus cast out demons – He can deliver me. · He provided their needs – He can provide mine too. · He baptized them in the Holy Spirit – He can baptize me too. · They spoke with unknown languages and prophesied – I can too. 3. As a Charismatic church, we believe the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to the believer today just as in the New Testament. We understand they are to be used in the encouragement and help of others, not just for a “bless me” time. It is most often seen in the style of the worship service with praise songs, times of audible praise and a period of quiet when a member of the congregation may speak out a message from God. C. Reformed Rom 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 "For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" 35'Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?" 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. NKJV 1. There are two main “camps” among evangelicals. One is Arminian and the other is Calvinist (or Reformed) which the leaders of the Reformation were. Both camps have similar language in referring to the Sovereignty of God and about man’s responsibility. Where is the difference? Not in believing about sovereignty and responsibility, but in God’s activity and man’s ability regarding the work of salvation. 2. Since man is created in the image of God, there is quality in the product! There is much to be admired and appreciated. Even unsaved people would attest to that. It is much like the MG I owned. There was quality in the English roadster line; they knew how to build a good mechanical machine. But, if a light didn’t work and you asked someone about it, they would say, “Oh, that’s British for you, the electrical will give you fits.” It is much like mankind because of the fall. Although God’s quality is seen in much of human life, the fall of man through Adam makes something wrong that will “give you fits” trying to explain outside of the Bible. 3. The Arminian believes that since God commands things, mankind must be able to perform and perfectly obey or God would be unjust to make these demands. The Reformed person believes that yes, God does command and yes, man is responsible to obey and yes, if they don’t, they will be judged for disobedience. But the difference is ability. The Arminian believes man is able to please God and the activity of God is in response to man’s ability. The Reformed person believes man is unable to do anything to please God by himself and without God Himself initiating the relationship; he will be unable to please God.
4. Only Adam and Eve, before the Fall, had the free-will or ability to please God in every way. In the Fall, mankind lost something, “In the day you eat of it, you shall surely die”. Now he didn’t die physically that day, but he died spiritually and instead of running to God when he heard Him approaching, Adam ran the other way, and mankind has been doing the same ever since. Paul said we are, “Dead in our trespasses and sins”, free-will among the unregenerate is only good for choices between man and the creation. Man now, with freedom of choice, will always choose that which opposes God for “The natural man is at enmity with God and cannot please Him.” 5. For a man to be justified now and eventually enter heaven to be glorified he must have God do for him what he cannot do for himself. He must have God elect, predestine, and regenerate the man if he is ever going to be saved. It has been an accusation that if you are Reformed you won’t be evangelistic; if you believe in “Predestination” you won’t be motivated to tell people about the need for faith in Jesus. On the contrary, if you believe in God’s sovereignty in the activity of saving the lost, you will have more confidence than ever to speak boldly “knowing it is God Who is at work in them to will and to work of His good pleasure!” Conclusion: 1. There’s a reason God has Trinity Bible Church here in the middle of Chi. County and not within some particular city limits. 2. Other than the three distinctions already mentioned, we are also a non-denominational church. As far as I know we are the only one within 20 miles of our front door that meets in their own building every Sunday morning. Contrast that with what my Lutheran neighbor told me this week, “We are a Lutheran Church and there are 20 other Lutheran churches within 20 miles.” 3. So, why are we here? God, Who alone knows the future, has this evangelical, charismatic, reformed, and non-denominational church right here, in the center of Chisago County. It must have something to do with His wonderful plan for others. Maybe we will be a house of refuge, a place of prayer, or a safe environment for many hurting people? I can’t say I know exactly why. But now is the time for us to:
(For further study) * Definition of Evangelical http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1999/june14/9t7049.html http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/106/53.0.html http://www.theologicallycorrect.com/studycenter/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11 http://www.wheaton.edu/isae/defining_evangelicalism.html
*Definition of Charismatic http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Criticisms%20of%20Pentecostal%20and%20Charismatic%20belief http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Charismatic http://www.pctii.org/
*Definition of Reformed http://www.mslick.com/gifts.htm http://www.reformed.com/pub/fivepts.htm http://www.theologicallycorrect.com/studycenter/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=42 http://www.theologicallycorrect.com/studycenter/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=38
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