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—Who is “us”?
BAPTISM pictures!
TENDING OF THE HEART
THE STORY OF GOD—What we’re up to…
REGULAR HAPPENINGS
UPCOMING EVENTS
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—Who is “us”?“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.
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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
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 12:
- 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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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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