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
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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
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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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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