SpokaneBibleChurch

SBC Family, Find your joy in Him. He's all we have when everything else fades away. See the attached notes. Grace to you, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rnQ5Xu2kC8evi21oXiqtTuACMBuFXENC/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, Having completed the doctrine of the glorification of God, we now turn to the glorification of man and nature. We'll cover the kingdom of God debate again. This is the debate over whether the kingdom of God is in history or eternity or both, and whether the kingdom of God consists of mortals or immortals or both. The main positions are amillennialism, postmillennialism, and premillennialism. This debate was initially discussed by the Jews during the intertestamental times. After the NT times the discussion developed and took shape into what we see today. I'll use some charts to show the differences and then explain WHY we hold to the view we hold. I has largely to do with the resurrection of Christ but should be traced back to the very beginning. There's a coherence to the Scripture and God's plan for history. We have a lot to look forward both with our own resurrection/glorification, and the glorification of nature. God is not done with nature. Nature is not a nothing. He is interested in restoring the cursed nature and we will get to see and enjoy it. See the attached notes. Much love and prayers, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GgK0U8lTR9ya4FtsBNd6NIJM36Wga39G/view?usp=drive_link

Good afternoon SBC Family, Tonight we are going to enter into Paul's instruction concerning "the spirituals." This is an odd phrase he uses which is usually translated "spiritual gifts." I'm not sure that is correct, but certainly Paul does focus on spiritual gifts in the next three chapters. So, we'll look at this phrase "the spirituals" and really start to try to hammer down the background of these interesting chapters that are so hotly debated in the cessationist vs non-cessationist understanding of spiritual gifts. See the attached notes and would love to see you tonight! Grace to you, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G0G7AtSdGYiym5CF07bpGJs2nBmDorVB/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, If you’re perceptive you realize that the doctrines of God, man, and nature that are re-visited when we deal with resurrection for the eternal state are a return to the same doctrines we dealt with at creation. There is a reason things begin and end with the doctrines of God, man, and nature. Everything has to wrap up. God has a plan, purpose, and a way of getting there. We are all involved in this. Your life is not purposeless, it is purposeful. It’s amazing the difference three to four letters can make. Tomorrow we’ll finish our discussion of the glorification of God as the ultimate purpose of history, and then delve into the glorification of man and nature. There are many unresolved issues that will be resolved when these things transpire, and they will transpire, for the first resurrection from the dead has already taken place with Christ and the rest are surely to follow. This is our hope, which is not a vague “I hope so,” but as certain as night follows day (or in Hebrew as day follows night, Gen 1:1-5). Love you and hoping to see you tomorrow. Invite your friends to come on this journey with us. Many people across our nation need more than conservative values. They need the solid ground of absolute truth upon which values are based. Without them they are surely a crumbling edifice. America doesn’t need more conservativism. It needs truth. It doesn’t need more voices. It needs to listen to the voice of God. Two lessons attached. My love, Jeremy Attachments: https://drive.google.com/file/d/166QkUh3sKtWk8scNX_0lBZSuEU5EuYZH/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e8NRjl9ePky7GHEyuhqwy3wspoyo7HUn/view?usp=drive_link

Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M-Ch2OrBOkVY2p870A_hiOlkdiygg7FJ/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, Hopefully you are seeing more and more that every event of Scripture (history) has doctrinal ramifications. Tomorrow we'll start working on the doctrinal ramifications of the Resurrection of Christ. Also I hope you are seeing more and more that every fact of Scripture is not an isolated fact, but a fact that is linked to every other fact so that they fly together like a fortress. The moment we separate out the facts of Scripture too far we create pockets of idolatry in our lives. This is why the Scriptures present an integrated whole, and every truth is interconnected to every other truth. This is what Paul is referring to in Rom 12 when he says he wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. As the Proverbs say, "thinking God's thoughts after Him," or "In Thy light we see light." God is the Master Thinker, and when we are conformed to His way of thinking we become master thinkers. Most of the Christian life is lived in your head, and if you know rightly then you know that all this knowledge has a practical application. Paul has been showing us this in our 1 Corinthians class. Tomorrow great things on the doctrine of God's glorification. What does the resurrection of Christ mean for history? What does it mean for the future? The first part of the new heaven and new earth have already walked, breathed, and eaten within this heavens and earth. There is so much to see... See the attached notes. Grace to you, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e8NRjl9ePky7GHEyuhqwy3wspoyo7HUn/view?usp=drive_link

Attachments: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_mu5evg24L80l-eI9I5nvQLM-uqmpfdv/view?usp=drive_link, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TS089xMLWv-8bK3N303rVTw6SlZsbohg/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yn4dicFfh9FeRHbHs2wOw-pdA7yKAWex/view?usp=drive_link, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hVcbBrhrX4X9EEVzp9IpgZnvWiAYr2ZE/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, Tonight we'll go through the controversial head-coverings passage. Men and women have instructions here. It's a really dicey text due to a series of difficulties in the original language. What does the word translated "head" refer too: authority? source? representative? How should the word translated "man" be translated: man? husband? What is the nature of the head-covering: material cloth? veil? hair? What is the mention of long hair not befitting a man mean: long hair is wrong (how long is wrong)? or effeminate, coiffured hair? Does the Bible weigh in on gender? How many genders are there? What is the main point of the passage? I've attached notes. Grace to you, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o_CJHRj_xbqn-1-pD1oM00y6PN97qVgZ/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, There were believing and unbelieving responses to the gospel. We'll look at both and explore the unbelieving responses in some detail, as well as expose why unbelievers are so motivated and how they can reject the resurrection or even accept it without believing in Jesus. See the attached handout. Grace to you, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FUxjtHH4GIqtxnA5CO9cMTncQ-RBtc5d/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, Tonight we'll finish the lengthy section on knowledge, freedom, and eating food sacrificed to idols. There is freedom, but sometimes we are supposed to sacrifice our freedom for the gospel and for spiritual growth of others. There are some good words about the Lord's Supper here as well as a good conclusion. I think this section on freedom and limiting our expression of freedom because of other truths that temper them continues into the next section on head coverings, which I and most students of 1 Corinthians consider the most difficult passage in the letter. Grace to you, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WBbSTLALi4wtCPkBKagIpIgfuhN3fX35/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, Tomorrow we will talk about the significance of the resurrection. What does it mean for the world that Christ is risen? What is the significance for the future? This is one of the more "heady" lessons to think through, but most benefit comes by thinking things through. I will see you tomorrow with bells on. Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Ey5NeWFsd_lN4FEN5Tzg5IdEVrxy93v/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, Tonight Paul takes us back to the OT example of Israel in the wilderness. This generation had every provision for victory, but they failed and wandered around for 40 years until everyone over 20 died, except Joshua and Caleb. God was not pleased with them. He wasn't pleased with the Corinthians either! When believers have every advantage of His enabling grace and they decide they are going to walk on the precipice of evil with the arrogance that they won't fall over the cliff into idolatry they are walking right into God's discipline. He won't be mocked. See you tonight, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SEO0ityjZ7R-6n3DOWujOW9ynAj38tw2/view?usp=drive_link

Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w-AuiMXqKXBcNHcegyNRkUvQan5RZvm4/view?usp=drive_link

Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DH67HBCxV2xr6Bzof2Ln5Q7gaGOiCsd_/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, Tonight we'll discuss 'how to win rewards.' It's very interesting to look at the different crowns and how these crowns relate to ruling function in the coming kingdom. Paul wanted every believer to train hard to win crowns. You're not competing against anyone else, but you are competing against the world, your flesh, and the devil. This is a spiritual battle that is being waged in the heavenlies. Are you entering the fight? Are you putting your armor on? There is a great temptation to be selfish all the time. That's why you have to train like an athlete to exercise self-discipline and sacrifice some of your rights for the sake of others. This is how to run the race so as to win eternal reward. See the attachment, and hopefully see you tonight! Grace to you, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kIjlRqOyEKIjWDMBEfqHFUPcQrFkwXeF/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, Tomorrow we'll be looking at a doctrine that is entirely unique to Christianity. No other religion claims it's founder rose from the dead. This is a significant claim. Keep looking up for Christ's coming for His church. Iran has just attacked Israel via drones and missiles. Previously they were only attacking through proxy armies like Hezbollah. This appears to be creating more instability in the region. It could be momentous in light of Ezek 38-39, but we will have to watch and be cautious in our evaluation. The coming days and weeks will tell a story. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. See the attachment. Grace to you, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z96_Recw7sY5alwlyjOTtGdmW8MzH_7E/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, This week we'll continue Paul's discussion of sacrificing our freedoms/rights/privileges for the sake of others. In this chapter Paul uses himself as an illustration and shows that even though he's an apostle with special rights, he set aside some of those rights for the sake of the gospel. One of the things we have to train ourselves to do is not to abuse our rights. As Christians we all have rights, but that doesn't mean we should exercise them. It is wisdom to know when to exercise them and when to forfeit them. It takes training to forfeit one's rights for the sake of others, but this is part of operating like Christ operated. He too had all the rights of divinity and He gave up those rights to die for us. Think about that for a moment. Let that sink in. The agent of all creation and heir of the universe gave up His rights for us! How much more should we give up our rights for others? This is a take, take, get out of my way world, and yet the Christian life is exactly the opposite. It's a give, give, serve others world, and there is great reward to follow. Reward that lasts forever, while the rest who remain in unbelief will be in weeping and gnashing of teeth, cast in outer darkness in the lake of fire forever. Tis but a short time till our blessed hope returns for us. See the attached notes. Grace to you, Jeremy Attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/125cen-UF5a_yE2VdF5dr4OekR1P4vhg2/view?usp=drive_link

SBC Family, I hope you’re doing well spiritually. This year our theme is prayer, and I’m really trying to focus on taking everything to Him in prayer. I hope you are too. Prayer is a discipline. Jesus’s disciples could not discipline themselves to pray for one hour. We are to pray without ceasing, which is a way of saying to pray intermittently throughout the day. Paul requested prayer for himself and told others he was praying for them and what he was praying for them, which can be an encouragement. We all need prayer and to pray for others. We don’t have because we don’t ask, and when we do ask we sometimes ask with wrong motives. When we are abiding in Him and He in us, ask whatever you wish and it will be given. Perseverance in prayer is another condition for answered prayer. There is a lot about prayer in the Bible, but at the heart of all prayer is DEPENDENCE. Every time we pray we are DEPENDING on HIM and not on ourselves. He must become MORE. I must become LESS. I pray that you will DEPEND on HIM MORE and MORE and on yourself less and less. Tomorrow we’re going to finish LEAVES, the acronym I developed to help remember the five counterpoints to Arminianism and Calvinism: Limited depravity Election status Accomplished atonement Veritable grace Eternal Security. You don’t have to be an Arminian or a Calvinist. These are positions that hardened up in the 17th century, particularly in various creeds and are still with us today in most denominations that line up on one side or the other. I’m usually discussing Calvinism, so that’s where I’m focusing my counterpoints tomorrow. Calvinist's repeat in many books that it is essentially another way of saying “biblical.” For example, in Steele and Thomas’s book The Five Points of Calvinism, they assert, “Calvinism is a whole worldview, stemming from a clear vision of God as the whole world’s Maker and King. Calvinism is the consistent endeavour (sic) to acknowledge the Creator as Lord, working all things after the counsel of His will. Calvinism is a theocentric way of thinking about all life under the direction and control of God’s own Word. Calvinism, in other words, is the theology of the Bible viewed from the perspective of the Bible—the God centered outlook which sees the Creator as the source, and means, and end, of everything that is, both in nature and in grace.” While there is nothing wrong and everything right with a theocentric outlook, statements like that can easily lead one to think they are saying things like; God is the author of evil If I’m not a Calvinist I’m not biblical They seem to be more careful at other times, but it is not wrong to conclude from their words these kind of things that are definitely not theocentric or biblical. Remember that Calvinism is a logical system. One of the most prized works among Calvinists is Loraine Boettner’s book, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination. In that book he says of Perseverance of the Saints, “This doctrine does not stand alone but is a necessary part of the Calvinistic system of theology. The doctrines of Election and Efficacious Grace logically imply the certain salvation of those who receive these blessings.” This is just too highlight that it’s not possible to maintain the Calvinist’s definition of each point without holding to all five points. I was once a 4-point Calvinist, till I realized this after reading many of their authors. From their point of view I was not a Calvinist in any sense. It was then that I admitted I had already modified some of the other points already. Now that I know more Bible I have modified them much more. Tomorrow I will contrast Veritable (true) Grace with Irresistible Grace and Eternal Security with Perseverance of the Saints. Calvinism is saying that since man is Totally depraved he is unable and unwilling to believe, so God has elected certain individuals unconditionally. These are the individuals for whom Christ died in order to secure their salvation. The Spirit does an irresistible work of regenerating them so they are alive to God and can then exercise their freed will to believe in Him. Since God has started this work He will ensure that they persevere in good works to the end. It is these works that we are told we can evaluate to ensure that we are one of the elect. The rest of this description is an attachment. Love, Jeremy Attachments: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XnneOGY3amJN0CHyb5IuJwnukFP4SaLQ/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xBslo8PH4ltDYJ-NGyjNgRf4BwaEyO_U/view?usp=drive_link