SANCTIFY!

Beginnings, Genesis 1-12
Israel, Genesis 12-Malachi
Christ, the gospels
Church, Acts –Jude and church history
Endings, Revelation and other passages

The Problem: Rebellion against the rule of God and the mind-body-spirit-world results of that rebellion.

The Solution: Jesus Christ. Everything before Christ points toward Christ and everything after Christ points back to Christ. In the end, everything is returned to God’s original design in Christ.

What came before… The story of Israel. Tuesday, July 26:

Ehud (AKA Fat Poker) (Judges 3:12-30) [NOTE: check out the pic :-) online]: Eglon, king of Moab, was suppressing Israelites; they called out for help and God sent Ehud to kill the king.
The chick that kills the dude with a tent stake (Judges 4): Jael assassinates Sisera (commander of the Canaanite King Jabin) with a tent peg, which ultimately led to the defeat of the Canaanite King Jabin.
Gideon defeats the Midianites (Judges 7:1-22; Psalm 135:5): With trumpets and torches, Gideon and his army of 300 men defeat a bit group of Midianites.
Renewed Oppression (Judges 10:6-7): The Israelites piss off God, he hands them to the Philistines and the Ammonites.
Idolatry in the tribe of Dan (Judges 18): The Danites attack Micah (who hired a Levite to lead worship of the silver idols his mother made), sack the town, and worship Micah’s idols.

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STORY-CONNECTING STORIES
Sometimes accidents of life conspire with our unwise choices, trapping us in a cycle from which we find no escape. That’s what happened to W. A property-destroying fire devastated W’s family, brain chemistry darkened W’s emotions, and repeated unwise choices sent W on a downward spiral of depression and attempted suicides that lasted well over a decade. Life on earth is hard enough; continually refusing to live in God’s hesed and justice traps us—individually and corporately—in a cycle of self-corruption.

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REGULAR HAPPENINGS

SUNDAYS
WORSHIP GATHERING @ 9:15 am—Main Worship Center
Intergenerational worship gathering with indy-folk-rockish music and good preaching… too fun!
“COFFEE HOUSE” @ 10:30ish
Coffee, conversation, and donut holes in the TFB Courtyard.
COLLEGIUM @ 11 am—TFB College Room
Collegial teaching time led by collegians

TUESDAYS
TUESDAY GATHERING @ 7:15-9:00 pm— TFB College Room
Hangout and conversation, guided by a teacher-facilitator; often resembles Mr. Toad’s wild ride, but with bibles.
Currently: Writing a screenplay for the Story of God media project

DAY varies…
WEEKEND GATHERING (contact Pastor G for details)
Hang out, talk, bring your friends.

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UPCOMING EVENTS—Next: OC Fair, July 30

OC Fair: Saturday, July 30—meet at G’s, 6 pm to carpool
Beach Bonfire: Saturday, August 6—details TBA
College Briefing: September 2-5—Forest Home: cost $155

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Know the story…Be the people…Expand the Kingdom

If you would like to contribute to the eNews or converse with the editor, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com

A fresh eNews is posted each Monday and updated on Wednesday.

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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

SUNDAY COLLEGIUM—Prayer
TENDING OF THE HEART
THE STORY OF GOD—What we’re up to…
SERMON NOTES--When God Gets Your Attention
REGULAR HAPPENINGS
UPCOMING EVENTS--EAT! July 24

tfbcollege pix on flikr
NOTE: you must have a free flikr account to download

Staff:
Pastor G (TFB Youth Min Pastor) gbenjamin49@gmail.com
Laura (teacher, AKA the mad tangent rider; eNews editor) lkspringer@gmail.com

Leadership team:
TBA

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SUNDAY COLLEGIUM—Prayer

Story of the Persistent Widow, Luke 18:2-5

[NOTE: a picture of Dan and Matt's lovely version of this story is on Flikr, tag "tfbcollege"]

"There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who was a godless man with great contempt for everyone. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her. The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. `I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, `but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!' "

If the judge character is comparable to God, why would Luke choose to compare God to an UNJUST judge?

That’s where we go on the 31st

BTW, remember to keep up with your prayer journal! God can’t answer prayers if we don’t give him prayers to answer.

July 24: EAT! and Ministry at the Flea Market in downtown Torrance First Baptist Church
July 31: Prayer, led by Stef M

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TENDING OF THE HEART
Story One: During the 200s, Christians were persecuted to death by Rome. Some, in order to save their lives, compromised their faith in Jesus. When the persecution was over, there was much discussion in the church about whether or not to let the compromisers back in.

Story Two: A few years ago, it was discovered that a local pastor had been having an “affair” with a young woman since her early teens. Upon this discovery, that pastor was fired and this story made the local newspaper. People wondered whether he should be allowed to pastor once he repented and got counseling.

Story Three: A friend of mine followed her passion rather than her wisdom and started having sex with her boyfriend. She became pregnant and he split. She has confessed and has been forgiven and cleansed by God, but now she’s a single mom and will live with the consequences for the rest of her life.
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THE STORY OF GOD—What we’re up to…

As the leader of the first rebellion against God’s rule and the Adversary who has now officially lost the war, Satan fights a desperate, losing battle against God’s rule. Deluded by twisted memories of personal glory and haunted by piercing visions of his own demise, this dangerous enemy recklessly takes advantage of the pervasive corruption caused by humanity’s rebellion, warring against the inevitable completion of God’s rule in Jesus Christ.

Movements:

Beginnings, Genesis 1-12
Israel, Genesis 12-Malachi
Christ, the gospels
Church, Acts –Jude and church history
Endings, Revelation and other passages

Eli’s sons take a larger portion of the sacrifice than they are supposed to (1 Samuel 2:11-17; c1100 BC).
Saul disobeys God by sacrificing early (1 Samuel 13:7b-15; c1050 BC).
David eats the holy bread even though it’s only intended for the priests (1 Samuel 21:1-6; before 1010 BC).
God promises David an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16; after 1010 BC).
David’s son, Amnon, rapes his sister Tamar, and then her brother, Absalom, plots for revenge (2 Samuel 13:1-39; after 1010 BC).
David sings a song of praise to God because he delivered him from his enemies (2 Samuel 22; after 1010 BC).

Psalm 59:1-10 ESV

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me;
deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.

For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
fierce men stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,
for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
Awake, come to meet me, and see!
You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
There they are, bellowing with their mouths
with swords in their lips--
for "Who," they think, "will hear us?"

But you, O LORD, laugh at them;
you hold all the nations in derision.
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

Elisa is our worship leader for July!!

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SERMON NOTES--When God Gets Your Attention
Exodus 3, 4
Pastor Charlie
July 17, 2005

A burning bush = when in the midst of the routines of life, when you least expect it you are surprised with an INVITATION from God.

SOME QUESTIONS YOU FACE

WHO AM I? Exodus 3:1-5

God’s answer: I WILL BE WITH YOU! Psalm 91:15

WHO ARE YOU? Exodus 3:13, 14

“I AM your provision” (Jehovah-Jireh).
“I AM your victory” (Jehovah-Nissi).
“I AM your peace” (Jehovah-Shalom).
“I AM there” (Jehovah-Shammah).

God’s Answer: I AM THE ONE WHO CAN MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS.

WHAT ABOUT THEM? Exodus 4:1-4

God’s Answer: I CAN USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.

WHAT ABOUT THIS? Exodus 4:10, 11

God’s Answer: I CAN OVERCOME YOUR WEAKNESSES. Hebrews 11:26

“He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and so kept right on going” (Hebrews 11:27, The Message).
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REGULAR HAPPENINGS

SUNDAYS
WORSHIP GATHERING @ 9:15 am—Main Worship Center
Intergenerational worship gathering with indy-folk-rockish music and good preaching… too fun!
“COFFEE HOUSE” @ 10:30ish
Coffee, conversation, and donut holes in the TFB Courtyard.
COLLEGIUM @ 11 am—TFB College Room
Collegial teaching time led by collegians

TUESDAYS
TUESDAY GATHERING @ 7:15-9:00 pm— TFB College Room
Hangout and conversation, guided by a teacher-facilitator; often resembles Mr. Toad’s wild ride, but with bibles.
Currently: Writing a screenplay for the Story of God media project

DAY varies…
WEEKEND GATHERING (contact Pastor G for details)
Hang out, talk, bring your friends.

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UPCOMING EVENTS EAT! July 24

EAT! July 24--Downtown Torrance
College Briefing: September 2-5—Forest Home: cost $155
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“Lord of the harvest, send people to reach out to those at the flea market, to be shepherds to the shepherdless, on July 24, when the next market is held”

CHALLENGE: Keep praying!

Sunday, July 10, 2005, we looked at Ephesians 4:11-16.
Why so many different parts? Look at verse 16:

16 Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Two key ideas are here. First, each part has a special work that is needed by the body. Second, the purpose of working together is a healthy, growing body that is full of love.

How do the parts function? There are two basic functions. First, there are certain people given to the whole church as equippers. Look at verse 11-12:

11 He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people

The most important job that the equippers have is equipping. When they get distracted, equipping is not done and the ministry suffers.

There is another set of “parts”—God’s people; they function as ministers. Look at the rest of verse 12:

to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ,

The most important job that God’s people have is doing God’s work and building his church.

Why is this job so important? The ministry of the people of God is the very thing that God uses to build and strengthen his church. Look at verses 13-15:

13 until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

All the parts—equippers and ministers—work together to build God’s kingdom. Every part has a special task. Every part is needed. When people get lazy or distracted, the work of God suffers. When we all work together the kingdom of God expands. So, how will God use us?

July 17: Prayer, led by Stef M
July 24: Ministry Project and/or Prayer, led by Stef M

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BAPTISM pictures!
Mr. O is online!

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TENDING OF THE HEART

Story One: During the 200s, Christians were persecuted to death by Rome. Some, in order to save their lives, compromised their faith in Jesus. When the persecution was over, there was much discussion in the church about whether or not to let the compromisers back in.

Story Two: A few years ago, it was discovered that a local pastor had been having an “affair” with a young woman since her early teens. Upon this discovery, that pastor was fired and this story made the local newspaper. People wondered whether he should be allowed to pastor once he repented and got counseling.

Story Three: A friend of mine followed her passion rather than her wisdom and started having sex with her boyfriend. She became pregnant and he split. She has confessed and has been forgiven and cleansed by God, but now she’s a single mom and will live with the consequences for the rest of her life.
=============================
THE STORY OF GOD—What we’re up to…

As the leader of the first rebellion against God’s rule and the Adversary who has now officially lost the war, Satan fights a desperate, losing battle against God’s rule. Deluded by twisted memories of personal glory and haunted by piercing visions of his own demise, this dangerous enemy recklessly takes advantage of the pervasive corruption caused by humanity’s rebellion, warring against the inevitable completion of God’s rule in Jesus Christ.

Movements:

Beginnings, Genesis 1-12
Israel, Genesis 12-Malachi
Christ, the gospels
Church, Acts –Jude and church history
Endings, Revelation and other passages

Eli’s sons take a larger portion of the sacrifice than they are supposed to (1 Samuel 2:11-17; c1100 BC).
Saul disobeys God by sacrificing early (1 Samuel 13:7b-15; c1050 BC).
David eats the holy bread even though it’s only intended for the priests (1 Samuel 21:1-6; before 1010 BC).
God promises David an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16; after 1010 BC).
David’s son, Amnon, rapes his sister Tamar, and then her brother, Absalom, plots for revenge (2 Samuel 13:1-39; after 1010 BC).
David sings a song of praise to God because he delivered him from his enemies (2 Samuel 22; after 1010 BC).

Psalm 59:1-10 ESV

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me;
deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.

For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
fierce men stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,
for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
Awake, come to meet me, and see!
You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
There they are, bellowing with their mouths
with swords in their lips--
for "Who," they think, "will hear us?"

But you, O LORD, laugh at them;
you hold all the nations in derision.
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

Elisa is our worship leader for July!!
=============================
=============================
REGULAR HAPPENINGS

SUNDAYS
WORSHIP GATHERING @ 9:15 am—Main Worship Center
Intergenerational worship gathering with indy-folk-rockish music and good preaching… too fun!
“COFFEE HOUSE” @ 10:30ish
Coffee, conversation, and donut holes in the TFB Courtyard.
COLLEGIUM @ 11 am—TFB College Room
Collegial teaching time led by collegians

TUESDAYS
SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION SMALL GROUP @ 7:15-9:00 pm— TFB College Room
Hangout and conversation, guided by a teacher-facilitator; often resembles Mr. Toad’s wild ride, but with bibles.
Currently: Writing a screenplay for the Story of God media project

FRIDAY or SATURDAY
GATHERING (contact Pastor G for details)
Hang out, talk, bring your friends.

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UPCOMING EVENTS--Next: Ministry project in downtown Torrance

Ministry Project: July 24 in downtown Torrance, see Laura or Jonathan P for details
College Briefing: September 2-5—Forest Home: cost $155
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“Lord of the harvest, send people to reach out to those at the flea market, to be shepherds to the shepherdless, on July 24, when the next market is held”

CHALLENGE: Bring this prayer to God everyday until we next meet on July 10. In a journal, write down answers, additional requests, and anything else God may be telling you. We’ll come together on July 10, compare our prayer journals, and look at the “us” that God has put here.

July 3 No Collegium, EAT Sunday 6 PM at the Mooney abode
July 10 God put us (tfbcollege) here (Manuel and Carson) part 2: us

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BBQ pictures!

tfbcol bbq0705-3
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

uploaded at tfbcollege pix on flikr
NOTE: you must have a free flikr account to download

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THE STORY OF GOD—What we’re up to…

The story of God runs from the creation of everything to the consummation of everything in God’s Kingdom and includes everything God is doing in the already-and-not-yet. The lives of God-followers today are vignettes in that continuing story, joining the millennia of God-followers who live out God’s story. The God-followers here in Torrance, at TFB, and in the TFB college group are part of the ongoing story that includes believers across the globe. God has commanded us to be his storytellers through our lives, through words, through media, through art, and through any means possible, spreading the Story of God to all who will listen.

Movements:

Beginnings, Genesis 1-12
Israel, Genesis 13-Malachi
Christ, the gospels
Church, Acts –Jude and church history
Endings, Revelation and other passages

What came before… The story of Israel. Tuesday, July 5, we chose scenes that tell us how God worked before Christ:

Solomon builds the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:1-6:38; 7:13-8:11; c970 BC).
Jeroboam makes golden calves for the northern kingdom to worship (1 Kings 12:25-33; c930 BC).
Elijah engages in a “sacrifice contest” with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40; c870 BC).
Ahab is shot by a random arrow while attempting to go unnoticed in a battle; later his blood flows into the pool at Samaria where prostitutes bath (1 Kings 22:29-40; c860 BC).
Jezebel is pushed from a window by two eunuchs; her dead body is eaten by dogs, leaving only here skull, hands, and feet, fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah (2 Kings 9:30-37; c841 BC).
Jerusalem falls to the armies of Babylon (2 Kings 25:1-21; c605 BC).

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until this violent storm is past.
I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
He will send help from heaven to save me,
rescuing me from those who are out to get me.

My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.
I am surrounded by fierce lions
who greedily devour human prey-- whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
and whose tongues cut like swords.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!
May your glory shine over all the earth.

NOTE: Elisa has agreed to be our worship leader for July!!

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REGULAR HAPPENINGS

SUNDAYS
WORSHIP GATHERING @ 9:15 am—Main Worship Center
Intergenerational worship gathering with indy-folk-rockish music and good preaching… too fun!
“COFFEE HOUSE” @ 10:30ish
Coffee, conversation, and donut holes in the TFB Courtyard.
COLLEGIUM @ 11 am—TFB College Room
Collegial teaching time led by collegians

TUESDAYS
SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION SMALL GROUP @ 7:15-9:00 pm— TFB College Room
Hangout and conversation, guided by a teacher-facilitator; often resembles Mr. Toad’s wild ride, but with bibles.
Currently: Writing a screenplay for the Story of God media project

FRIDAY or SATURDAY
GATHERING (contact Pastor G for details)
Hang out, talk, bring your friends.
Saturday, July 9 @ 7 pm

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UPCOMING EVENTS

College Briefing: September 2-5—Forest Home: cost $155
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