Winter Quarter Adult & Young Adult Sunday School

The classes being offered for adults and college students during the winter quarter running from Nov. 27 through Feb. 12 are:

Pastor Brian will be continuing his class entitled “Navigating the Narrative: Tracing the Bible’s Story through the Bible Stories” that started in the fall. Recordings of past lessons and lesson outlines are available on the church website. This class will be offered during second and third service, 10 and 11:30am.

George Saunders will be leading a class covering Tim Keller’s “Counterfeit Gods”. The book will be available for purchase on the book shelf. This class will begin on Dec. 11. This class will be offered during second service at 10am.

Change in Monthly Prayer Services

Please note that the monthly Prayer Service has been moved to the last Sunday of the month. The next prayer service will be on Nov. 27 at 6pm. There will be no prayer service the month of December, but will resume on January 29. See Pastor Brian if you have any questions.

Reformation Day: A Call for Courageous Christians

When a 33-year old German monk named Martin Luther posted a series of “objections” on a door in Wittenberg on Oct. 31, 1517, it may not have seemed very momentous at the time. But there can be no argument that the church – and the whole world – was changed dramatically and forever as a result. In many ways, that date marks the starting point of the Protestant Reformation, which is why October 31 is celebrated annually by many Protestants not as Halloween but as Reformation Day.

Luther opposed abuses in practice and errors in doctrine within the Roman Catholic Church of his day, championing the gospel message that we are justified before God (declared righteous) by the imputed righteousness of Christ received by faith alone, entirely apart from our own works. According to Luther, it was this salvation by grace alone through faith alone that constituted the heart of the good news.

It is easy for believers today to underestimate the courage involved in Luther’s stand. In his day, to be cut off from the Roman Catholic Church was to be cut off from the grace the Church offered for salvation, and there was no other congregation down the street ready to receive him.

Additionally, to teach doctrines contrary to the Church was punishable by death, and such punishment was no idle threat. One-hundred years earlier the Church executed Jon Hus for teachings similar to Luther’s. In standing up for the gospel, Luther was not simply risking his reputation, his career, and his standing in the Church, but he was risking his life. Still, when asked to recant his teachings and writings before a council in 1521, Luther refused saying, “Here I stand. I can do no other.”

Luther’s stand serves to remind us that courage is a necessary virtue in the Christian life. Courage is frequently commanded in Scripture (see Deut. 31:6-7; Josh. 1:6-9, 18; Acts 4:13-20), and its opposite is condemned (Rev. 21:8). In addition, the Scriptures repeatedly charge us to “fear not.”

Courage is necessary because the means to obtain godly ends in a fallen and hostile world will most likely involve risk, danger, pain, and difficulty. We are called to stand for and live according to the
truth in the face of tremendous pressures and opposition in the world, even if we find ourselves standing alone. It takes courage to love as Jesus loved despite the risk of rejection. It takes courage to walk by faith and not by sight. Quite simply, it takes courage to live as a Christian.

But how are we to develop and exercise such courage in our lives?  How was Luther able to pen the words “Let goods and kindred go / this mortal life also”? In part, because Luther was ultimately committed to something other than and larger than himself: the truth of God in the gospel. It has been said that courage is not the absence of fear, but results from the judgment that something else is more important than fear. For Luther, the gospel was more important than life itself. His fear of God trumped all his other fears. So in cultivating courage, we must battle our cynicism that says nothing really matters, our materialism that says nothing matters more than our comfort and safety, and our fear of man that is greater than our fear of God.

Remember that as a Christian you have been given a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (see 2 Timothy 1:7). On this Reformation Day, ask God to help you identify areas where you can exercise more courage by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps it’s in the area of evangelism, talking with family members, friends, or classmates about the gospel. Perhaps it’s risking involvement with the needy and broken that live outside your circle of safety and comfort. Perhaps it’s raising your children to resist the cultural norms and worldly values of entertainment and consumerism. Sometimes, it’s just facing the day by faith. Mary Anne Radmacher writes, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Whatever the case and whatever you’re facing, be strong and courageous. The God who supplied Luther with courage to stand for the truth can supply you with courage, too.

Practicing Our Righteousness: A Call to Fast on Oct. 15

In last Sunday’s sermon, I noted that the broader context of Matthew 6:1-21 is one in which Jesus is speaking of practicing our righteousness, and then identifies three examples of what that entails. He speaks of giving to the needy in verse 2, of praying in verse 5, and of fasting in verse 16. I also made the point that Jesus assumes his followers will do each of these things.  He doesn’t say “if” you do these things, but “when” you do these things.

You may also recall that I quoted the words of John Calvin recorded in the Institutes in which he says, “whenever … any matter of difficulty and great importance is under consideration … the sacred and salutary custom of all ages has been for pastors to exhort the people to public fasting and extraordinary prayer.”

In connection with the pledge campaign, the importance of praying has already been addressed and Pastor Bob is preaching on the importance of giving the next two weeks (though admittedly not centrally about our giving to the needy, which is what Jesus has in mind in Matthew 6:2-4). In light of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, it would be improper to neglect the topic of fasting.

Fasting is not well understood nor frequently discussed in the church today. Because Jesus assumes that it will form a part of the disciple’s life, it is important to consider what it is and the value of practicing it. Donald Whitney, author of Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life, defines fasting simply as the voluntary abstaining from food (and perhaps other legitimate things) for the spiritual purpose of focusing on and seeking God. Therefore, with a spiritual purpose in mind, fasting in order to build a reputation of godliness in the eyes of others, or simply in order to lose weight, falls short of proper motives. Rather, biblical fasting should be motivated by a desire to fix the heart and mind on God (in place of other things) and to express complete and total reliance on Him.

Whitney identifies numerous purposes for fasting as set forth in Scripture, including to seek, along with prayer, God’s guidance (Ezra 8:23; Dan. 9:3; Neh. 1:4); to express grief and repentance (2 Sam. 1:11-12; 20:34; Joel 2:12; Jonah 3:5-8); to seek deliverance (2 Chr. 20:3-4); to minister to the needs of others (Isa. 58:3-7); to fight temptation, to express humility (Ps. 35:13) as well as love and devotion to God (Luke 2:37), and a concern for His work.

The disciplined practice of fasting can prove beneficial in a number of ways. Fasting can liberate us from the idol of our appetites (not just for food), can help us discover our limitless resources in God, endure seasons of deprivation with joy (Phil. 4:12-13), increase our trust in God to provide, and free us to spend time engaged in study and prayer.

In view of the important decisions facing New Life, as well as these benefits, the leaders of New Life are calling the congregation to a day of fasting on Saturday, Oct. 15. We will not be gathering together as a body, but please consider fasting for the day or for a portion of the day on your own and as a family as you are led. You are encouraged to spend the time you would typically be eating to engage in prayer.  Let your fasting be an expression of your reliance upon Him to supply your needs, an expression of your readiness to deny yourselves – even of necessary things – for the sake of His kingdom, and an expression of faith that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord (Deut. 8:3).

 

 

Men’s Discipleship Group Resumes on Thursdays

After taking the summer months off, the Men’s Group will resume meeting on Thursday mornings from 6:30-7:30am. We will be continuing a study of the Ten Commandments, picking up where we left off at the 6^th Commandment. All men are welcome to join! If you have any questions, contact Pastor Brian.

Living in Community: The Importance of Life Groups

One of the last images we see in the Bible is that of the New Jerusalem descending out of heaven and merging with a renewed earth (Rev. 21:1-2). Isn’t it interesting that the Biblical portrait of everlasting glory is life in a city?

When trying to picture what the new creation will be like, I suspect that Christians are prone to imagine vast meadows with a wide array of flowers, pristine wooded areas, and crystal clear streams running through the countryside.  One of the last things many people think of as the eternal dwelling of the saints is a city!

Yet this is the vision that John receives and records. Granted, the New Jerusalem will not be like many modern cities infested with pollution and crime, so why the portrait of a city? A city conveys that the eternal state of the Christian is one enjoyed in community. We are made for and called to relationships with God and each other.

Though our individualistic culture drifts toward increasing privacy and isolation from others, this is not what God intends for the church. As a preview of coming glory, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the church is to reflect a renewed community living in loving fellowship with God and each other in the present.

We must avoid thinking that having a personal relation with Jesus means having a private relationship with Jesus.  Our relationship with Jesus, while personal, is not private but corporate.  The body of Christ metaphor in the New Testament undoubtedly points to a real dependence on each other (see 1 Cor. 12:14-26). Being connected to other believers in the local church is one of the means God uses to conform us to the image of Jesus. Indeed, living in community is not an optional added benefit for those who have the time or for those who are more out-going and extroverted.  We really do need the gifts and graces of one another to grow in Christ. Discipleship is a shared journey.

One of the ways this community finds expression at New Life is through our Life Groups.  These groups are designed to facilitate a sense of belonging (one of New Life’s core values) as they meet to discuss sermons, pray, and share life together.  Rejecting the idea that fellowship consists of a 90 second chat over coffee before the start of worship, these groups aim to generate godly friendships that supply wise counsel, encouragement, support, and accountability for everyone involved.

It goes without saying that our schedules are very busy. But that is all the more reason to get involved in a Life Group. We need vital and constant support from one another for the demands and trials of everyday life.  Building deep relationships in the Lord strong enough to walk us through our joys and struggles requires that we invest time in one another. There is simply no short-cut.  We have Life Groups meeting on a variety of weekdays and at various times. I hope you’ll commit to sign up and attend one this year as we journey together toward the lasting city that is to come (Heb. 13:14)!

 

 

CABS Offers Church History Class beginning on Sept. 8

I was 24 years old when I graduated with my undergraduate degree from Ball State in 1994. That’s right – it took me six years after graduating high school to complete my degree. This was not because I changed my major countless times or because I had to retake numerous classes that I failed at first, but because I was a part-time student at IPFW in Ft. Wayne for 2 ½ years before starting full-time at Ball State. What this meant for me practically was that I was a little more mature and a little more serious about my academic studies when I arrived at Ball State.

In fact, there was only one class that I recall skipping frequently: history. Granted the class met at 8am and was a long walk from my dorm – during the chill of January and February, no less – but the reason I rarely attended was … well, it was history.

History is regarded as a boring subject for many, and I found myself sharing that assessment. That is, until I became a Christian at the age of 22. Slowly my attitude toward history began to change. As I read the Bible, it was clear to me that God was interested in history and in preserving a record of His redemptive acts in history. In addition, I began to recognize the flow of history as a study in the gracious providence of God and His ongoing work in the world.

Finally, I grew to appreciate my own part in the larger story of God’s unfolding plan as well as my place among the faithful who have gone before, described as “so great a cloud of witnesses” spurring us on in the race in Heb. 12:1. Indeed, as Mark Driscoll’s ministry suggests, we are all living out our part in God’s purposes in history as the story of “Acts 29.”

Still, many Christians cling to a “history is boring” mentality. Historian Bruce Shelley has remarked that “many Christians today suffer from spiritual amnesia. The time between the apostles and their own day is a giant blank.” But it needs to be acknowledged that this is due, at least in part, to the church failing to faithfully offer teaching and instruction in this important area.

It is to correct this deficit that the Center for Advanced Biblical Studies (CABS) is offering O God, Our Help in Ages Past: A Brief Survey of Church History, Parts I & II.  The first part of the course will begin meeting this fall on Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30pm starting on Sept. 8 and will cover the ancient and medieval periods of church history (AD 100-1453). The second part of the course will start in early 2012 and will cover the reformation and modern periods (1453-present).

The first part of the course will begin meeting this fall on Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30pm starting on Sept. 8 and will cover the ancient and medieval periods of church history (AD 100-1453). The second part of the course will start in early 2012 and will cover the reformation and modern periods (1453-present).

If you are interested in taking one or both of these courses, please consider signing up in the foyer. A course syllabus for Part One: Ancient and Medieval Church History will be made available soon at www.cabstudies.com under the courses tab. The fee for the class is $40 for adults and $25 for students and will meet in the sanctuary here at the church. Please contact the church office with any questions.

New Adult Sunday School Classes

The fall quarter of Sunday school classes runs from Aug. 21-Nov. 13. There will be two classes offered, this quarter taught by Felix Aguilar and Pastor Brian. Please check out the descriptions below and consider committing to attend one of these classes this year.

 

Prone to Wander – Felix Aguilar

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it / Prone to leave the God I love: Here’s my heart, O take and seal it / Seal it for Thy courts above. I love the hymn Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing.  Every time I sing it I am convicted of the sad truth that not only am I prone to wander, I do wander from God’s will for my life.

One sweltering, Alabama evening many years ago Christa and I bought custard ice cream cones.  Christa asked me if she could hold mine as I shifted gears in our VW bug.  “No, I’ve got it.”  A block later the ice cream was dripping on my hand and the gear shift.  Christa:  “Come on, Darling, let me hold it for you.”  Me:  “NO!”  A block later the ice cream was running down my arm under the sleeve of my Army uniform to my arm pit!  We arrived home another block later, I jumped out of the car and to Christa’s horror threw the soppy cone on the driveway and stomped on it with both feet!

Today Christa and I laugh about that episode.  When we share the story with friends, I’m quick to say: “But I wasn’t a believer then.”   The Lord saved me a few years later.  But after being discipled, after growing in maturity, and even after serving as an elder and now as a professor in a Christian university, the sad truth is that when I am frustrated my behavior occasionally isn’t very different from that unbelieving young soldier.  Why?  Why do I think and behave this way?    Where is the fruit of the Spirit in my life?  Why can’t I get it right once and for all?  Am I not saved?

A few years ago I discovered Neil T. Anderson’s Victory over the Darkness.  The Lord has blessed me as I’ve used this book in my personal devotions.  The Lord has given me greater peace, assurance, and hope as I have re-discovered my identity in Christ.  Anderson provides interesting Biblical analysis of why we sin and very practical counseling on sanctification based on believing the truth of God’s word.  Anderson says you can’t live beyond what you believe.  I look forward to sharing and discussing Victory over the Darkness with you this fall in Sunday school.  May the Lord remind us together how our hearts are sealed for His courts above.

 

Navigating the Narrative: Tracing the Bible’s Story through the Bible Stories – Brian Allred

Perhaps you have heard the phrase “you can’t see the forest for the trees”. Perhaps you’ve never understood quite what that means!  In essence, it is a way of saying that it is possible to miss the “big picture” in the midst of all the details.

Trying to make sense of a collection consisting of 66 books written over almost 1500 years by close to 40 different authors can be a daunting and difficult task.  But that is the task of every student of the Bible. And it is possible to miss the forest for the trees and fail to see the main story of the Bible in the midst of all the details.  To put it another way, it is possible to be quite familiar with the Bible stories and miss the Bible’s story.

The Bible tells one story from Genesis to Revelation– a story of God’s promised redemption in a fallen world. In order to help us see how this is so, I will be offering a class over the next three quarters entitled Navigating the Narrative: Tracing the Bible’s Story through the Bible Stories.

In this class, I will attempt to show how the Bible tells the unfolding story of the kingdom of God, starting with the creation of the kingdom, the demise of that kingdom with the fall, and God’s covenantal approach to restore that kingdom culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  The class will trace how Jesus is the fulfillment of all God’s promises in the Old Testament.

The course will also help you discern how the various parts – such as creation, the fall, the construction of the tabernacle, the ceremonial laws of Leviticus, the conquest of Canaan, the rise and fall of the monarchy, the exile of Israel, Pentecost, and the images in Revelation of the new heavens and new earth – fit into the story as a whole.  Understanding the place of these various books and events in the flow of redemptive history is a prerequisite for rightly relating and applying these truths to our lives.

I consider this class to be perhaps the most ambitious and important task I have undertaken in almost 15 years of Sunday school teaching. I hope you will consider taking advantage of this course designed to help you develop a scriptural framework for understanding the Bible’s story and enable you to trace the progress of redemptive history from Eden to the New Jerusalem.

College Student Cookout on Aug. 28

Attention College Students! New Life will be hosting a cookout on Aug. 28 after 3rd service for you. It will be a good opportunity to meet other college students and some of the members of New Life. Contact the church office if you have any questions.

 

Celebrating Our Freedom in Christ

With the 4^th of July around the corner, many minds are preoccupied with … well, family, hamburgers, hotdogs, Aunt Rosie’s potato salad, and fireworks.  But the 4^th of July also affords us the opportunity to be mindful of the blessings God has granted to our nation, to thank him for the freedoms we enjoy, and to remember the sacrifices that have been made to secure those freedoms.  Sadly, we take these blessings and freedoms for granted far too often.

But in addition, the 4^th of July provides an opportunity to reflect upon an even greater freedom.  The Scriptures abound with descriptions of the blessings we have in Christ, and alongside words like redemption, adoption, and reconciliation, is the word “freedom”.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians and Romans 6 are particularly rich in relating the freedom the believer has in Christ. For instance, near the end of Galatians, Paul states: For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (5:1).

But what, exactly, does freedom in Christ entail? What freedom has been granted to us as believers? Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is freedom from the condemnation of the law. Paul declares in Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. In other words, we have been freed from our guilt –and the just penalty for it – because Jesus bore our guilt on the cross.

And while it’s true – and worth celebrating – that in Christ we are freed from the penalty of sin, our freedom entails more than this. Dare I say that we often adopt a truncated view of our salvation, thinking of it almost exclusively in terms of being spared from God’s wrath and the judgment of hell? But it is important to realize that, in Christ Jesus, we have freedom not only from the penalty of sin but from the power of sin as well.  As the hymn, Rock of Ages, puts it, Jesus has become for sin the “double cure” freeing us from its guilt and power.

To state it bluntly, not only are we delivered from the judgment of hell; we are delivered from the bondage of living like hell. Because of the salvation Christ has accomplished for us and the Spirit he has poured into our hearts, we are able to break free from patterns of self-destruction, from addictions, and from besetting sins. This is why Paul says: just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). In Christ, you have the hope of freedom from specific sins – whether they be lust, swearing, anger, jealousy, or drug abuse – and the hope of growing in holiness.

To be sure, overcoming remaining sin involves struggle and conflict, but by the power of the Spirit we can experience freedom.  Furthermore, remaining sin is not to be confused with reigning sin. According to Romans 6, sin no longer has dominion over us because of the work of Christ that has brought freedom.

So as you celebrate this 4^th of July, remember to celebrate the freedom God has granted you as a citizen of this nation. But do not neglect to celebrate true freedom in Christ and the sacrifice he gave to secure it. How do you properly celebrate this freedom?  Look to Jesus believingly for the forgiveness of your sin and guilt so you can experience freedom from the fear and dread of God’s condemnation.  But also ask God for a full measure of the Spirit so you can throw off besetting sins and patterns of unrighteousness in your life as you strive after holiness, experiencing freedom from the power of sin and becoming more like Jesus. In him is true freedom and eternal life.

 

 

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