Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Being a Great Servant / Tom Hlad

Tom Hlad encourages the students that no matter what their degree is, they are still servants of God. He looks at 1 Timothy 4 and lists three “tools” for the students to be equipped with. They need spiritual health, to set an example, and to faithfully endure.Scripture Text1 Timothy 4:6-16Main Points or IdeasSpiritual Health (verses 6-10)As an athlete needs physical health to compete, believers need spiritual health to withstand spiritual battlesHave the right diet by being trained in the Word of God and sound doctrine, never allowing the Bible to become merely a textbookHave the right training by pursuing godliness and avoiding irreverent, silly myths and worthless arguments that do not advance God's kingdomHave the right foundation with hope set on the living God who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believeGodly Example (verses 11-12)Don't let anyone look down on you because of your youth, but come with confidence and humilitySet an example for believers in speech (building up rather than tearing down), conduct (actions that reflect Christ with nothing disqualifying), love (selfless, agape love for all people), faith (trusting God in all situations), and purity (moral integrity in a corrupt world)Be a lighthouse that shines bright, pointing people in the right direction toward ChristStaying Focused (verses 13-16)Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture - be addicted to being in the Word daily for personal feeding, not just studyExercise the gifts God has given you while in school and in ministry involvementPractice these things and immerse yourself in them, giving painful attention to spiritual disciplinesKeep close watch on yourself and your doctrine, persisting in these thingsConclusionPaul challenged Timothy to be a great servant of God by maintaining spiritual health, setting a godly example, and staying focused on the essentials. When faced with the desire to quit or feelings of discouragement, believers should return to these basic disciplines and continue pressing forward in faithful service.

The Power of Grace / Brian Baker

Brian Baker speaks about the grace of God and its power in the life of the believer. He looks at the end of Titus 2 and how the grace of God saves, trains, and motivates believers. He encourages the students to fill their minds with God’s Word and see their value in God’s grace.Scripture TextTitus 2:11-14Main Points or Ideas1. The Grace of God Saves UsSalvation is available to everyone through faith in Jesus—His sacrifice was sufficient to pay for the sins of the world, even the most vile personEphesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith...not a result of works"The gospel: Christ died, was buried, and rose again for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)2. The Grace of God Trains UsGrace trains us to renounce ungodliness and live self-controlled, upright, godly lives through progressive sanctificationThe goal is not to impress God but to live in response to His grace—we're not living to earn anything; we live from something already accomplishedWe need to preach the gospel to ourselves daily—there's nothing deeper than the gospelOur value is what Christ was willing to pay—He purchased us with His blood3. The Grace of God Motivates UsWe wait for our blessed hope—the appearing of Jesus Christ who redeemed us and is purifying a people zealous for good worksGrace is key to both justification and sanctificationIf there's anything we have that the world doesn't, it's eternal hope that's securePaul gave instructions on behavior, then said motivation should not be obligation but living from God's graceWe don't live godly lives so God will love or approve of us—He already does; we live out of response to His love and approvalBiblical meditation is filling your mind with Scripture—we need God's truth more than water, food, shelter, or clothingConclusionThe grace of God saves us, trains us, and motivates us. We need the truth of the gospel every day, and when we live in it, preach it to ourselves, and meditate on it, it will change our lives. This is the power of grace.

Living Victoriously and Joyfully Through Trials, Tests, and Disappointments / David Shedd

David Shedd walks the students through the story of Elijah the Prophet and his conversation on the mountain with God, seeing that He was not finished with him yet.He examines the scope of God’s infinite love, that what God has in store through trials are unexpected blessings, and that there should be no presumptions to try and know God’s reasons for these trials.Scripture Text1 Kings 18-19Main Points or IdeasThe Reality of Trials and DisappointmentsLife comes with trials, tests, and disappointments—they're a fact of lifeThe existential question: How do we respond to what God allows in our lives?Disappointment is often described as "the gap between expectations and reality," but this definition is too shallowTrials can be unexpected and unfair (or feel that way)Trials and tests are intended to grow believers in dependency on the Lord and mold them into Christ's likenessElijah's Mountaintop and Valley Experience1 Kings 18: Elijah's mountaintop experience at Mount Carmel—contest with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of AsherahGod's fire fell, consumed the offering, and the people declared "The Lord, He is God"Elijah slaughtered all the false prophets and the drought miraculously ended1 Kings 19: Immediately after this victory, Elijah ran for his life from Queen JezebelElijah reached Beersheba, went another day's journey alone, and his despondency deepened until he asked God to take his life—"I've had enough"After being miraculously fed by an angel, he traveled another 40 days to Mount Horeb in the Negev desertElijah remained discouraged, despondent, and wanting to die—but God was not finished with himGod's Encounter with Elijah (1 Kings 19:9-18)God asked: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"Elijah's response (twice): "I have been very jealous for the Lord...I, even I only, am left and they seek my life"—feeling sorry for himselfGod's demonstration: great wind, earthquake, fire—but God was not in any of theseGod spoke in "a low whisper" or "still small voice"God's correction: "Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal"Elijah completely underestimated and underappreciated the hand of Almighty GodThe Scope of God's Love is InfiniteNothing surprises God—no exceptions to what we go throughGod uses disappointments and trials so we further depend on HimWhat God Has in Store Emerging from Disappointments is Full of Unexpected OutcomesGod delivers unexpected blessings and outcomes from disappointmentsGod's ways are not our ways—Isaiah 55:8-9Do Not Be Presumptuous About What God IntendsDon't try to know what God intends amid disappointmentsYou may not understand it even afterwards—God's ways are not your waysGod's answers for Elijah were not in the wind, earthquake, or fire—they were in the "be still and know that I am God" whisperElijah's presumption that no believers were left was completely wrong—there were 7,000 who had never bowed to BaalConclusionThink of tests, trials, and disappointments with your eyes set upon eternity. Ask how God is speaking through your testing.Will you face difficulties with joy? Will you seize this as an opportunity to mature in the nine characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit?

Hope / Dr. Jim Tillotson

Dr. Jim Tillotson states that humans can live only one second without hope. He shows that Satan wants to crush hope but encourages students that hope is tied to God Himself. Dr. Jim also encourages the students to put their hope in God even when life is at its worst.Scripture TextsTitus 2:11-15; Romans 15:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Timothy 1:1; Romans 6:17-22; Revelation 1:13-17Main Points or IdeasSteadfast Hope (verse 13)"Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ"The two men on the road to Emmaus had lost hope after Christ's death, but when Jesus revealed Himself, their hearts burned within them—hope returnedAreas where students may be losing hope: paying school bills, finding a spouse, passing a class, recovering from health issues, having victory over besetting sinSatan wants to crush hope, like Job's wife who said "curse God and die" when they lost everythingHope is as necessary to the human spirit as oxygen is to the physical bodyGod is the author of hope—Romans 15:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 1 Timothy 1:1When losing hope, believers often neglect Bible reading, prayer, and meditationMisplaced hopes: hoping to go to heaven without Christ, hoping to grow without reading God's Word, hoping to live happily while in rebellionLife with Christ is an endless hope; life without Christ is a hopeless endGlorious AppearingWhen Christ returns, it will be a glorious appearing like the Northern Lights—standing in awe at something amazingRevelation 1:13-17 describes Christ's appearance: white hair, eyes like flame, feet like brass, voice like many waters (like Niagara Falls—deafening roar), seven stars in hand, sharp sword from mouth, countenance like the sunWhen John saw Him, he fell at His feet as dead—the brightness and glory of Christ's returnRedeeming Grace (verse 14)"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for himself his own special people, zealous for good works"Redeem comes from Greek word meaning releasing someone held captive (prisoner or slave)Unsaved people are in bondage to sin; Christ came to set believers freeMark 10:45: "He gave his life a ransom for many"Romans 6:17-22: Believers were slaves of sin but have been set free and become slaves of righteousnessWhen God freed believers from sin, He expected them to be His slaves—slaves to righteousnessEvery sin (past, present, and future) has been paid for by Christ—believers are freed from the penalty of sinBelievers don't continue in sin because they love God, not because they lack ability to sinDon't be weird—be different; Christians should be different, not weirdGood deeds are not an add-on but should be central—believers should be zealous for good worksExploding Grace (verse 15)"Speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you"Talk about Jesus Christ in conversations at work and restaurantsExhort—encourage others to think about HimReprove—biblical edification means living better, not just feeling betterWith all authority—God's truth is absolute truth, always true for all people, all places, all timesLet no one despise you—don't let culture shut you up; boldly proclaim gospel truthsMake a difference—souls hang in the balanceConclusionWhen Christ comes back and believers stand before God in heaven, it will be better than any earthly victory or celebration. We have a lost and dying world that needs to hear about Jesus Christ, who is our hope, has redeemed us from every lawless deed, and calls us to be His peculiar people, zealous for good works.

The Blood That Speaks / Adam Beecher

Adam Beecher, pastor of New City Church in Ankeny, speaks to the students about Cain and Abel. He looks at the story of Scripture from the very beginning and gives context to how God first gives whispers of the gospel. He looks at the root of anger and the type of love Cain and Abel had for God.Scripture TextsGenesis 4:1-16; Hebrews 11:4; Hebrews 12:24; Matthew 5:21-22Main Points or IdeasThe Enemy WithinCain was a farmer and Abel was a shepherd—both fulfilling God's commission to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominionCain brought "an offering of the fruit of the ground" while Abel brought "the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions"God regarded (literally "saw") Abel's sacrifice but did not see Cain'sThe difference: Abel was generous, giving the best and trusting God for the rest; Cain's offering lacked faithHebrews 11:4 reveals Abel offered by faith and was commended as righteousCain became very angry and his face fell—his heart was hardGod's counsel (the first counseling session in the Bible): "Why are you angry? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it"This is the first mention of the word "sin" in the BibleGod warns about a new kind of enemy—not the serpent in the garden, but an enemy withinCain represents the first Pharisee—his sacrifice was transactional, wanting God's blessings without wanting God himselfApplication: Why are you here at college? Do you expect God to give you things (career, spouse, life) in exchange for your time and religious obligations? Or do you worship Him because He's worthy?The Blood That Cries OutCain lured Abel to the field and killed him—the first murder in the BibleWhen God asked "Where is Abel?" Cain lied ("I don't know") and responded with sarcasm ("Am I my brother's keeper?")The biblical answer to "Am I my brother's keeper?" is a resounding yes—we are to care for one anotherGod's strange statement: "The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground"This reveals that when lifeblood is shed and injustice happens, it is deafening to God—He hears itGod is fair and moved by injusticeThe curse intensified: in Eden, toil came; now Cain is cursed from the ground itself as a farmerCain's ironic plea: he fears murderers when he himself is a murderer—sin makes us irrationalDespite Cain being a monster and murderer deserving severe punishment, God showed him grace by putting a mark on him for protectionGod is on the side of sinners (not for their sin) and extends grace even to monstersThe Better WordJesus is the hero of the story, and like Abel, He is a faithful shepherd who was innocent yet killedAbel's blood cried out "Avenge me!"—calling for justice to be made rightHebrews 12:24 says Jesus' "sprinkled blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel"When Abel died, his blood worsened the curse; when Jesus died, His blood overturned the curseJesus' blood cries out "Forgive them!"—this is why He's the heroAs Jesus was being murdered, He said "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they're doing"God doesn't lose His sense of justice, but He is also gracious, merciful, loving, and long-sufferingJesus offers salvation to all and forgives murderers—Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, was a murderer whom Jesus forgaveConclusionThe gospel is a story with a beautiful beginning, an awful conflict with the serpent and the sin nature within, but ultimately a hero who saves the day. As teachers and advocates of the gospel, believers must tell people about the blood that speaks—what Jesus' blood says for them. His blood speaks the word of forgiveness that we all need, the resolution we long for, bringing peace and restoration to God.