Here is the second video that summarizes the mission statement in our class. This covers the challenge for the coming year. Hopefully this will be a useful tool as you we all seek to learn and live the God-centered life. Simply click on this LINK.

Here is a video that summarizes the mission statement in our class. The goal this week is to provide each day a brief overview of the five points that I covered this past Sunday. Hopefully this will be a useful tool as you we all seek to learn and live the God-centered life.

In the next 5 days I am going to take each of these statements and explain what they mean to our community. Hopefully this will be a good reminder of the foundational aspects of our class as we head toward the fall launch. Allow me to encourage you to review these notes so that as we continue together we can be like minded in this regard.

Somebody may be asking is Pat Jones really an outdoor kind of guy? He can make “turkey calls” in SS class but does he know how to bring home the bacon so to speak. Well for the second year in a row (a picture is worth a thousand words), I have documented Pat hammering the red fish in Charleston. It’s just a fact when Pat shows up the fish start to tremble.

So without further ado I bring you the Roland Martin of the inter-coastal... (if you happen to hear a comment about lunch at the Palm, that was a side agreement regarding lunch for most fish caught and put in the boat.)

My devotion in the past week had me in Mark 4. As you may remember we spent much time in the early stages of our class talking about the importance of the heart. And one of the main section that I taught on was the "Parable of the Sower" that is located in Mark 4. This is called the parable of all parables and the Lord Jesus told His disciples, if you don't understand this parable you will not understand any of the parables. The main point of the parable of the sower was "the success of the seed is in direct proportion to the condition of the soil." And we can learn that the elements within the parable had to be explained by Jesus to His disciples.

So when you read Mark 4:21-23 how are you going to handle or interpret this parable? May I suggest that first you read it and try to come up with a main point. It can sometimes help to just try and retell the parable out loud to someone else to see if you understand the basic story. Let's do so for this parable in the following way (go back to the first century with me). A woman who is a widow comes home at night after a full day of work to a one room home, with possibly just one window and not much else. Since oil is expensive and she is quite poor there is only one lamp for her to light as she comes into the home that night. As she enters and finds the lamp she must decide where to place it.

Check out the choices:
1. How about under a basket? Well that doesn't make sense because if the light stays under the basket she will not be able to negotiate around the home.
2. How about under the bed? Well that presents the same problem as with the basket and limiting the light that she needs in her home
3. How about on a lamp stand? Well that makes the most sense because as the light is on the lampstand it will allow her to most effectively see and walk in her home

Never, never, never forget that when reading and interpreting the Bible that CONTEXT is king! So what is the context of this parable? Well it appears to be the word of God since Jesus was just talking about this in the parable of all parables in the preceding verses. Also Jesus gave an explanation in that parable of the elements involved and now leaves it to us in this parable to figure it out so to speak.

So what would you say is the main point of this parable? Here is my thinking: "The effectiveness of the light is directly proportionate to it's placement in the room."

Now go back into the story and try and define the elements of this parable. What do you think the basket represents? How about the bed? What about the lamp stand?
And finally what about the lamp?

Let's start with the lamp which must be a reference to the word of God as we just came from a parable about the seed being the word. If you do some study on first century Jewish culture I think it will reveal that the basket probably refers to the work, and the bed is where meals were eaten and probably refers to leisure. Here is a question for application - How many of us today are not effectively getting light from the word of God because we have it under the basket of our work or under our bed of recreation?

If you want to talk about a parable for 21 century Americans then look no further than this one! For many Christians today in America the things that most distract them from the word are job and recreation, entertainment and leisure. So how about the lamp stand? I think this represents the best placement for the lamp so that the light can be most effective in the home. I think the lamp stand might represent our Bible reading, devotion in study might be likened to the lamp stand as the most effective way for us to see and negotiate in our personal lives.

This summer where are you keeping the lamp of God's word? Is it on the lamp stand or do you have it under a basket or under the bed?

In our next teaching session on the Trinity we will be specifically be examining the relationship between Jesus and the Father. As we have talked about briefly but will see now in more detail is the ranking of these members of the Trinity. Here is a brief outline of what we will cover together on this subject. And later today I will post the notes in detail for you to study as time allows. Keep running the race, fighting the good fight, and keeping the faith!

OVERVIEW


STUDY NOTES

Keep in mind that we are learning and living, as we build one doctrine upon the other, walking together through the Scripture. As we move forward I will strive to be diligent in not letting us wander from the truth we have already learned. Here is an important article from Dr. MacArthur on the meaning of Scripture and the importance of doctrine. During the first 10 months of our class we focused mainly upon the word of God and these we two critical components that we studied. I hope you enjoy!

What Does This Verse Mean "to Me"?

That's a fashionable concern, judging from the trends in devotional booklets, home Bible study discussions, Sunday-school literature, and most popular preaching.

The question of what Scripture means has taken a back seat to the issue of what it means "to me."

The difference may seem insignificant at first. Nevertheless, our obsession with the Scripture's applicability reflects a fundamental weakness. We have adopted practicality as the ultimate judge of the worth of God's Word. We bury ourselves in passages that overtly relate to daily living, and ignore those that don't.

Early in my ministry, I made a conscious commitment to biblical preaching. My first priority has always been to answer the question, "What does this passage mean?" After I've explained as clearly and accurately as possible the meaning of God's Word, then I exhort people to obey and apply it to their own lives.

The Bible speaks for itself to the human heart; it is not my role as a preacher to try to tailor the message. That's why I preach my way through entire books of the Bible, dealing carefully with each verse and phrase-even though that occasionally means spending time in passages that don't readily lend themselves to anecdotal or motivational messages.

I am grateful to the Lord for the way He has used this expository approach in our church and in the lives of our radio listeners.

But now and then someone tells me frankly that my preaching needs to be less doctrinal and more practical.

Practical application is vital. I don't want to minimize its importance. But the distinction between doctrinal and practical truth is artificial; doctrine is practical! In fact, nothing is more practical than sound doctrine.

Too many Christians view doctrine as heady and theoretical. They have dismissed doctrinal passages as unimportant, divisive, threatening, or simply impractical. A best-selling Christian book I just read warns readers to be on guard against preachers whose emphasis is on interpreting Scripture rather than applying it.

Wait a minute. Is that wise counsel? No it is not.

There is no danger of irrelevant doctrine; the real threat is an undoctrinal attempt at relevance. Application not based on solid interpretation has led Christians into all kinds of confusion.

No discipline is more sorely needed in the contemporary church than expositional biblical teaching. Too many have bought the lie that doctrine is something abstract and threatening, unrelated to daily life.

It is in vogue to substitute psychology and spoon-fed application for doctrinal substance, while demeaning theological and expositional ministry.

But the pastor who turns away from preaching sound doctrine abdicates the primary responsibility of an elder: "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9).

Practical insights, gimmicks, and illustrations mean little if they're not attached to divine principles. There's no basis for godly behavior apart from the truth of God's Word.

There are only three options: We teach truth, error, or nothing at all.

Before the preacher asks anyone to perform a certain duty, he must first deal with doctrine. He must develop his message around theological themes and draw out the principles of the texts. Then the truth can be applied.

Romans provides the clearest biblical example. Paul didn't give any exhortation until he had given eleven chapters of theology.

He scaled incredible heights of truth, culminating in 11:33-36: "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."

Then in chapter 12, he turned immediately to the practical consequences of the doctrine of the first 11 chapters. No passage in Scripture captures the Christian's responsibility to the truth more clearly than Romans 12:1-2. There, building on eleven chapters of profound doctrine, Paul calls each believer to a supreme act of spiritual worship-giving oneself as a living sacrifice. Doctrine gives rise to dedication to Christ, the greatest practical act. And the remainder of the book of Romans goes on to explain the many practical outworkings of one's dedication to Christ.

Paul followed the same pattern in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians. The doctrinal message came first. Upon that foundation he built the practical application, making the logical connection with the word therefore (Rom. 12:1; Gal. 5:1; Eph. 4:1; Phil. 2:1) or then (Col. 3:1; 1 Thess. 4:1).

True doctrine transforms behavior as it is woven into the fabric of everyday life. But it must be understood if it is to have its impact. The real challenge of the ministry is to dispense the truth clearly and accurately. Practical application comes easily by comparison.

No believer can apply truth he doesn't know. Those who don't understand what the Bible really says about marriage, divorce, family, child-rearing, discipline, money, debt, work, service to Christ, eternal rewards, helping the poor, caring for widows, respecting government, and other teachings won't be able to apply it.

Those who don't know what the Bible teaches about salvation cannot be saved. Those who don't know what the Bible teaches about holiness are incapable of dealing with sin. Thus they are unable to live fully to their own blessedness and God's glory.

The nucleus of all that is truly practical is sown up in the teaching of Scripture. We don't make the Bible relevant; it is inherently so, simply because it is God's Word. And after all, how can anything God says be irrelevant?

“By Justification we mean – man’s acceptance with God, or his being treated as righteous in His sight – as the object of His favor, and not of His wrath; of His blessing, and not of His curse. The breach of the Law in its covenant form by the sin of our first parents, rendered it for ever impossible that either they, or any of their descendants, should be justified on the ground of their personal righteousness.” - J.I. Packer

Psalm 119 states “The heavens declare the glory of God...” and the beach does also with everything that you are able to see. When you look at the vastness of the ocean and the intricate detail of a small sea shell, one can see both the transcendence and the immanence of our God.

The purpose of our community is very simple and basic. To spread a passion for Christ in such a way that His word becomes the food and daily nourishment for learning and living the God-centered life. A life in which we are transformed by the power of the Spirit by seeing the face of God in the Lord Jesus Christ!

In my devotion this morning I spent some time in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. This may be the most concise description of the gospel in the entire Bible. However I would like you to consider with me for a few minutes verses 1 and 2.
1Cor. 15:1 ¶ Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
1Cor. 15:2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

I have highlighted the verbs in red.

Here are some general observations:

• Notice what Paul is preaching - THE GOSPEL, and what the saints in Corinth are receiving - THE GOSPEL
• Each of the verbs in the above two verses are in the indicative mood, which simply means the mood of reality. This is a fact or the way things really are.
• Notice in 1 Corinthians 15:2 the word "SAVED", this verb is in the present tense which means habitual or continual and is in the passive voice, which means that which happens to you.
• Finally observe the biggest little word in the Bible, which is the word "IF". If you hold fast to the gospel, unless you believed in vain.

At our Ridgecrest retreat on Friday night the teaching was on "holding fast to the gospel." And way is that so important? Because it is the very litmus test for a person to have the assurance they have truly been justified by faith.

So SS community may I ask you this question? Are you holding fast to the gospel? Are you continuing to be saved? Remember salvation has a three-fold meaning:
1. Past tense - justified
2. Present tense - sanctified
3. Future tense - glorified

The present tense sanctification (being saved) is the very evidence that you at some point in time were saved (justification). And what should the sanctification process look like in my life as a "born again" Christian? You and I need to be preaching the gospel to ourselves and we need to hold fast to this word of truth.

Oh, by the way, I almost forgot:
In the context stated above what might Paul mean in the phrase “to believe in vain”?

holding fast to the truth of the gospel (daily) with you,

Bert

For your convenience I have combined the teaching for the last two weeks on the Trinity in church history. Hopefully these notes will give you a good overview as you dig into this essential doctrine for the church.

The Learning and Living God-centered Life Community is coming up on its first year anniversary in August. As I was reviewing some of the photos from the first year it was reminding me of the leadership planning, community outreach, women’s ministry, monthly luncheons, care groups, missions and the joy of being the one another’s of the New Testament church.



As we head into the summer may I encourage each of you to be faithful in your Bible reading, devotion and study. This year we have talked a good bit about the difference in a heart that delights in the word of God and one that sees it as a duty.

I will be praying for you specifically that God will give you the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Also praying that you will walk in a manner to please Him as the Spirit empowers you and in all things, yes even the hard things that you will give Him thanks.

Nancy and I are enjoying a bit of vacation time but still studying,praying, planning and preparing for teaching the “DOCTRINE OF GOD” for the remainder of the 2009 year. Even though communication will be limited on the website until we are back, I will be twittering away while in Charleston. Have you had your tweet today?

This article from the associated press this week I have posted for your consideration.

Despite their reputation as symbols of baby-boomer America, Protestant megachurches attract a younger crowd and more singles than the average Protestant church, according to large-scale study released Tuesday. The survey also found distressing news for a movement that took off in the 1980s and remains influential in evangelical Christianity: megachurch-goers volunteer less and give less money than other churchgoers.

Conducted by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford Seminary and Leadership Network, the survey of nearly 25,000 people who attend 12 U.S. megachurches was conducted from January through August 2008. It is billed as the largest representative national study of that religious demographic to date.

An estimated 5 million Americans a week attend roughly 1,300 U.S. megachurches, defined in the study as Protestant churches with attendance of 2,000 or more. To compare the megachurch data to Protestant churches of all sizes, the study relied on the U.S. Congregational Life Study of 2001.

Among the megachurch report's highlights:

- The average age of megachurch attenders is 40, compared to nearly 53 at a typical Protestant church. Nearly two-thirds of megachurch attenders are under 45, double the numbers in Protestant congregations of all sizes. The vast majority are between 18 and 44.

- Nearly a third of megachurch attenders are single, compared to 10 percent in a typical Protestant church. They also tend to be wealthier and better educated.

- Nearly all those surveyed -- 98 percent, including visitors -- described themselves as a "committed follower of Jesus Christ." Nearly a quarter hadn't been in any church for a long time before coming to the megachurch.

- Sixty-two percent of megachurch attendees said they had experienced much spiritual growth in the past year. But that does not always translate to behavior churches expect of members: nearly 45 percent of megachurch attenders never volunteer at the church and 32 percent give little or no money to the congregation.

"The ethos of the megachurch is to say 'You can't just sit there and spectate, that's not enough, you've got to do this or do that,'" said study co-director Scott Thumma, a sociologist at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. "But a lot of people said 'I'm perfectly happy coming here and doing that.'"

Divided loyalties also might play a role: just three-quarters described the megachurch they were attending as their "home" church, and many said they were attending more than one church.

Thumma said the findings don't necessarily mean that megachurches fail to foster involvement. The study found that significant numbers of even the least involved participants still give generously, have invited others to church and attend services weekly.

Pastor B.’s Editorial Response to the article above on the “Stats in the Megachurch”

This morning I posted an interesting article on our website regarding the latest mega church statistics. Here is a section of the article that I would like to comment on in this weekly update.

- Sixty-two percent of megachurch attendees said they had experienced much spiritual growth in the past year. But that does not always translate to behavior churches expect of members: nearly 45 percent of megachurch attenders never volunteer at the church and 32 percent give little or no money to the congregation."The ethos of the megachurch is to say 'You can't just sit there and spectate, that's not enough, you've got to do this or do that,'" said study co-director Scott Thumma, a sociologist at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. "But a lot of people said 'I'm perfectly happy coming here and doing that.'"

And so for the almost half that sit and down nothing and the one third that don't give we try and fix the problem with the LAW. Brothers and sisters in Christ DO NOT, and I repeat DO NOT fall into this trap in your walk with the Lord Jesus. John Bunyan was quoted as saying "Do this do that the law commands, but gives us neither feet nor hands, a better word the gospel brings it bids us fly and gives us wings." And to that I say a hearty AMEN!

If a body of people within a particular church is not doing something, it can be more than likely traced back to that which they have not received. Yes, you are hearing me right when I say don't do something but first receive something. If you were to ask me receive what, I would simply say the grace of God by the death of Jesus Christ for your sin, past, present and future. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS take people in the church back to the cross. Folks we studied Romans 6 for approximately 5 weeks this past year. Do you remember the argument about the indicative verbs and the imperative verbs? If not then check out this LINK. The imperative verbs are the commands and the indicative verbs represent the reality of how things really are. For example "Christ died to sin and now we have also died to sin." The verb "died"is in the indicative mood meaning this is a fact. But that verb would not be true in your life, had God's grace not intersected your life, and "transferred you from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His beloved Son." (Colossians 1:13) Therefore we must understand and receive grace before we put into action the commands of Scripture. However I see many Christians and churches putting people under the law. Our teaching and preaching today needs to bathe, saturate and immerse people in so much grace that someone will stand up and say "then should we continue to sin that grace can abound." However that objection is far from the lips of most church goers and you know why? Either because they are exhausted by the law they are under working in their local church or they are busy running from the law and are not interested in another job. Do we not understand that when we go to work for God that we nullify grace? (Galatians 2:21) The solution is Christ, the solution is the cross, the solution is the grace of God!!!

Our community is called "Learning and Living the God-centered Life" but you could say that is the "sovereign grace centered life." Because if grace DOES NOT fall onto and into a person's life then joy WILL NOT rise up in Christ and the overflow WILL produce a work and NOT love. Didn't Jesus Himself say in John 15:5, "apart from Me you can do nothing." So how many on that day will meet Jesus and here these words "Thanks for nothing, because it was all done in your strength under the law of command!

This is the very reason our retreat was focused on the gospel. And why I continue to encourage each of you on a regular basis to preach the gospel to yourself every single day. Why? Because the key motivation for the do is located solidly in the thing that has already been done. What thing has been done? Christ who is God, incarnated Himself, came to earth and lived a perfect life, died on the cross to absorb the wrath of God intended for you and me due to our sin. In doing so Christ and His death paid in full the penalty of our sins. But that is not all, He also credits to our account His perfect righteousness. What? Why that is too much, that is mind blowing and beyond my human comprehension. Exactly and therefore when God now sees us He sees us robed in the righteousness of His Son. And what my friends did you do to deserve this mercy? What did you do in order to merit this unbelievable kindness from God? The answer is you did nothing but had to receive everything!
(1 Corinthians 4:7 "...What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? ) As you receive this grace, as you understand this grace, as you meditate on this grace a JOY, a SATISFACTION and a DELIGHT rises up in you toward Christ. And as that faith comes by hearing and hearing by His word, the overflow of your life becomes manifested in a love for others. Of course love shows itself in the commands that involve serving, giving and discipling but at the root of this is the GRACE OF GOD!!!

So here is my exhortation and admonition from this article posted on our website and to those within the mega church. Receive the grace of God which has been offered at the cross and is revealed to us daily through God's inspired, inerrant and infallible word. And as you read, and as the Spirit transforms the mind, will and emotion into the likeness of Christ Jesus the actions will automatically spring forth a life that bring praise and glory to God. But again I warn and say be careful that we not try to produce via the law a work that comes from us and not motivated and done in Christ. It becomes so easy for American Christians to have a goal, make a plan and then to implement a strategy. And then disguise it with spiritual words, throw in some Bible verses but when all is said and done the church produces lots of law based and few grace based Christians. May we be the people of God, so saturated in the grace of God that we are passionately and continuously demonstrating the greatness of God!

by His grace,

In the lower right hand corner of the screen you can click and go to a full screen that will help to see the notes much better.

The audio for today’s class can be listened to directly or downloaded at SERMON.NET. It will be the first entry that appears and the title is “The Trinity in church history_part2.”

Nancy and I went over to Pat and Kay’s for some SS community planning for the fall. If you see some smoke in the pictures it is not from the burgers but from all the brainstorming last night. Of course the burgers were cooked with Pat’s special recipe and they were sooooooooo good! This coming year, by the grace of God things are going to be intentional, exciting and challenging. May I ask each of you to keep praying as we continue to learn and live the God-centered life.

A special thanks to Dr. Wayne Grudem for his excellent teaching on this subject of the Trinity

Definition of the Trinity - God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.

We see verses in which they say that the Father is God, the Son is God and the Spirit is God
Then we find verses that say that God is one

In the Old Testament we see and have hints of the Trinity
This doctrine of the Trinity is progressively revealed in the Scripture

Several passages in the OT suggest that God exists as more than one Person
• Genesis 1:26 - "Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;"
This comes across as it could be Inter-Trintitarian conversation

• Genesis 3:22 - Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us...
• Isaiah 6:8 - Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
• Psalm 45 - Psa. 45:6 ¶Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
• Psa. 45:7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
• Psalm 110:1 - The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right handUntil I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The Father is saying to the Son, sit at my right hand
• Isaiah 63:10 - But they rebelled And grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy,He fought against them.
The Holy Spirit here is seen as distinct from the Father and the grieving is a personal feeling
• Hosea 1:7 - “But I will have compassion on the house of Judah and deliver them by the LORD their God, and will not deliver them by bow, sword, battle, horses or horsemen.”
• Isaiah 48 - Is. 48:16 “Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord GOD has sent Me, and His Spirit.”

There is a more complete revelation of the Trinity in the New Testament
We learn of the Father, Son and Spirit and a number of passages are involved
• Matthew 3:16-17 - Matt. 3:16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,
• Matt. 3:17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Jesus is being baptized, the Holy Spirit is descending and the Father is speaking from heaven
Each Person of the Godhead is accomplishing something different

• Matthew 28:19 - “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 - 1Cor. 12:4 ¶ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
• 1Cor. 12:5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
• 1Cor. 12:6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

Here is a pattern that we see in the NT in which the word Lord is applied to God the Son and God is generally applied to God the Father, this is not true 100% of the time but in general this is true
In the NT the word God which in Greek is "theos" is normally applied to God the Father and the word for Lord is "kyrious" is normally applied to the Son
The Greek word for Lord in the OT is used over 6000 times to translate the Hebrew word Yaweh
• 2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
• Ephesians 4:4-6 Eph. 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
• Eph. 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
• Eph. 4:6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
• Jude 20-21 - Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
• Jude 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

In the OT we have a hint of plurality when we speak of God and in the NT we can see clearly that we have God the Father, Son and Spirit
Statement #1 - God is three Persons
Statement #2 - Each Person is fully God
Statement #3 - There is one God

Can you name all four? And no smart comments like “I only see 3 theologians in that picture.”

On Tuesday night we completed our men’s Bible study which we titled “Launch into the summer.” In this 4 week series we looked at Romans 6:15-23 and last night concluded with Romans 8:1-13. I am often amazed how much we hear in our culture today about pragmatism and relevance. However when you read Romans 8:13 you don’t find something that tries to be relevant but rather that which is absolute. Last night we talked about “launching into the summer” as men who live out the Christian life by putting to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit. As a matter of fact Paul says if we aren’t living that way then we live according to the flesh and we are headed straight for hell. Let me say that again, if you are living according to the flesh then you will die (eternal death) but if you are putting to death the deeds of the body, by the Spirit then you will live. So last night I asked myself and the men at the study “how are you living?”

Below are my study notes on some of Romans 8:1-13. I will be praying for the men in our class that this summer will be a continual receiving of grace through God’s word, in such a way that lives will be demonstrating the very glory of God. This time of teaching has been a wonderful opportunity to get to know better the guys in our SS community. Men, if you were not able to participate in this study then may I appeal for you to set time aside, to dive into the word of God with us this fall.

Here is a brief outline of today’s teaching on the Trinity and church history. This may help in getting an overview of our lesson before you dive into the notes.