Trinity Big Rapids

We may serve IN our communities but our ultimate loyalty will be exposed when we draw a line in the sand. We must determine what is worth dying for.

Standing on our convictions means allowing our commitment to God to impact everything about us. Hebrews 11:13 Hebrews 13:12-14 1 Peter 2:11-12 Jeremiah 29:5-7 John 17:14-16 Daniel 1:1-21

Does Vision 2019 GAIN the focus God has for us? YES!!! It sends us to be IN our communities: . . . Intentionally (John 17:18-23) Courageously (Acts 4:29-33) Generously (Acts 13:2-4) For the “WIN” (Luke 15) How do we SUSTAIN this focus? TOGETHER!!! We need each other IN the midst of distractions, like . . . The world’s hatred (John 17:14-17) Satan’s attacks (John 17:14-17) Unholy temptations (John 17:14-17) Relational dis-unity (John 17:18-23) Powerful threats (Acts 4:29-30) Daily needs (Acts 4:32-33) Jealousy of self-righteousness (Luke 15:25-30)

Promises We can have what it takes to speak COURAGEOUSLY: --As the Fragrance of Christ, we speak in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14~17). --As the Witness of Christ, we speak through the Spirit (Matthew 10:16~22). --In the Opportunities from Christ, we speak a mouth of wisdom (Luke 21:12~19). Practices We will speak COURAGEOUSLY if we remain: --PRAYER-FUL for an open door. --AWARE-FUL of each opportunity. --SPIRIT-FUL, walking in step with Him. Colossians 4:2~6, Ephesians 5:15~18, Acts 4:13 and 29~31.

INtentional We have been Commissioned. We have been Positioned: --Intentionally --Naturally --Providentially We MUST be INtentional... Beginning in Prayer.

Answers to questions submitted during the Summer of Reconciliation Series.

The Twin Confusions of Forgiveness The Challenge of Care-Fronting Jesus Care-Fronts Local Churches --The Church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:2~4) --The Church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:19~21) A Local Church Care-Fronts A Sinning Member --1 Cor. 5:1~13 --2 Cor. 2:5~11 A Brother Care-Fronts His Brothers (Gen. 44:16, 45:3~5, 50:15~17) --Joseph --The Brothers

Preparing Our Heads to Forgive Two Common Theses: 1) We must only forgive when there is repentance in word and deed, with reconciliation being the end-goal (Inter-personal). 2) We can forgive even without contacting the other party, with our release from the emotional prison of bitterness as the chief target (internal). A Synthesis - The Two Hands of Forgiveness: --An Open Hand to ALL (Offering or Requesting Forgiveness). --Hand in Hand is Only for the Repentant (Completed Forgiveness - Reconciliation).

Rev. Gerhard deBock Preparing Our Hearts, Part 2 To Prepare Our Hearts We Must: 1) Take a Gut-Check: Do we really understand how important this is? 2) Take the Log-Out: Begin with self-examination. 3) Take Another Gut-Check: Do We Really, REALLY Understand How Important This Is? --Matthew 18:21~35 4) Put the Love In: Do We Remember How Much We Have Been Forgiven? --Luke 7:36~50 --Ephesians 4:31~5:2 As God in Christ Forgave You, You Forgive Others.

Preparing Our Hearts, Part 1. To Prepare Our Hearts We Must: 1) Take a Gut-Check: Do We Really Understand How Important This Is? --Matthew 6:11~15 "forgive us as we have forgiven" --Matthew 7:12~14 "the gate is narrow" 2) Take the Log Out: Begin with Self-Examination --Matthew 7:1~5 (Luke 6:37~38) ----"judge not" ----"first take the log out of your own eye" --Matthew 5:21~26 ----"angry, insults, 'you fool" ----"has something against you... first be reconciled" ----"come to terms quickly" --Galatians 6:1~2 "keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted" --1 Corinthians 4:3~5 "I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted"

Receiving Forgiveness: Our Part In Reconciliation 2 Chronicles 6 & 7 God offers "The Gold Standard of Forgiveness" to all, But not all are forgiven; ONLY those who respond by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ are forgiven, justified, and reconciled to God. THE RESPONSE to God's initiative includes our: --Humbling Ourselves --Repentance (Turning) ----With all our Heart and Mind --Acknowledgement of God's Name --Seeking God's Face --Prayer, Confessing Our Sin ----Marking Restitution, if possible --Pleading for Forgiveness ----Manifesting the Fruits of Repentance (God knows our hearts) NOT: The pride of saving face, making excuses, minimizing the damage done, merely sorrowful for the consequences, "Sorry you took it that way" ignoring the issues, pretending all is okay, avoiding the person afterward, just easing our guilty conscience, wanting to dig up the root of bitterness but without restoration of relationship, vague awkwardness but no direct request, talking charge but no visible fru

Romans 5:1 ~ 11 It resonates "much more" It reaches to our "Before" --weak, ungodly --sinners --enemies Requires faith in the blood of Jesus Christ --justified by faith --through our Lord Jesus Christ --through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us --Christ died for the ungodly/for us --justified by His blood --by the death of His son It results in our After --justified --peace --access, stand in this grace --God's love poured into our hearts --saved from the wrath of God --reconciled It reverberates in our Rejoicing (exulting, boasting) --In the hope of the Glory of God: We look forward to the return of Christ in power, in the fullness of His glorious holiness and majesty, not dreading the wrath of the Lamb. --In our Suffering: We look at our sufferings as a way to grow and draw near to God through the Holy Spirit, not to pull away and question His love for us. --In our Rejoicing: We look at God with rejoicing in His character and attributes, having seen His love

We Must Show Delight (the incense of delight): --By GIVING them our full attention and unhurried time. --By AFFIRMING to them our public commitment. --By BLESSING them with our dreams for their future. We Must Arouse Compassion (the oil of healing): --By INITIATING reconciliation. --By remembering forgiveness is a decision and a process. --By not adding up a record of wrongs but PRAYING that mercy will triumph.

Tip #1: Know Your Purpose --Fill the earth with Godly Children. --Are your children filling you with Joy? Tip#2: Value Wisdom --Wisdom is supreme! --Am I directing them to the Beginning of Wisdom? --Are you helping him/her fall in Love with God? Tip#3: Weigh Out Life Choices with Wisdom #1 Time ---We need to Manage our Time. ---We need to Savor our Time. #2 Work ---It's all about our Perspective. ---We are God's Workmanship to do Good Works. #3 Money ---Get to the Heart of the Matter. ---God Owns it All. Don't Forget Your Purpose Weigh Out Choices Carefully Watch Your Perspectives Closely

It starts with following Jesus, our Servant-Example, and taking up our Towel. So that our children and others... See our Model (The What), Hear our Teaching (The Why), Do with us what we Pray (The How) Pray daily for a Philippians 2 mindset: Holy Spirit, Make me a Christ-Like Servant today.

The Rod & Staff: Teaching and Discipline Having the Right Attitude: --Do I make it about the sheep? --Have I really gotten to know the sheep? --Am I willing to lay my life down for the sheep? --Am I "On Purpose" Having the Right Dexterity: --Do I teach intentionally consistently? ----Will I make a toolbox list? --Do I discipline consistently? ----I will use "law" to show the need for "grace". ----I will discern childishness from rebelliousness. Do I discipline redemptively? ----I will teach them how to ask for clarification.

On The Team -Beloved Siblings -Faithful Minister -Fellow Slave -Take Responsibility to Listen & Share -Fellow Prisoner -Fellow Kingdom Worker -Source of Comfort -Struggling in Prayer -Focused in Prayer -It is All My King's -Follow-Through On The Couch -Unknown Guest -User, a Leech -Waiting to be Served -It is Others' Job to Tell Me or Ask Me -"Here for You"... Until it Costs Too Much -Work for the Kingdom of "Me" -Only Want to be Comforted -Pray When I Feel Like It -Praying for Health & Material Prosperity -I Retain My Rights Over the Things of This World -Start Strong but Never Finish