Teague Bible Church

An Open Letter to TMS Alumni
John MacArthur June 27, 2015
Dear Master’s Man,
The highest court in the land has passed its judgment. The headlines proclaim that a slim majority of Supreme Court justices considers freedom of sexual orientation a right for all Americans. This exchange of one set of values in favor of another does not come as a surprise to us who already know that the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe (2 Cor. 4:4). June 26th, 2015 stands as a significant milestone in the American demonstration of this ancient reality.
In the coming days, you will be expected as a shepherd to provide commentary and comfort to your flock. This is a critical hour for pastors, and stands as another reminder of why proper training is crucial.
I’m writing this short message as one pastor to another. Media outlets are bustling with updates, and I don’t need to add my voice to the general fray. Instead, I want to help you shepherd your church through this confusing time. In addition to the helpful articles on the Preaching and Preachers Blog, I also want to communicate the below thoughts that I trust will help you frame the issue in a biblical way.
1. No human court has the authority to redefine marriage, and the verdict yesterday does not change the God ordained reality of marriage. God was not defeated in this ruling, and every marriage will be judged according to biblical grounds on the last day. Nothing will prevail against Him (Proverbs 21:30) and nothing will thwart the advance of His Kingdom (Dan 4:35).
2. The Word of God has pronounced judgment on any nation that would reclassify evil as good, darkness as light, and bitter as sweet (Isaiah 5:20). As a nation, America continues to put herself in the crosshairs of judgment. As a proclaimer of truth, you are responsible for never compromising on these issues. In every way you must stand firm.
No human court has the authority to redefine marriage, and the verdict yesterday does not change the God ordained reality of marriage.
3. This ruling proves that we are clearly in the minority, and a people set apart (1 Peter 2:9-11; Titus 2:14). As I wrote in the book Why Government Can’t Save You, the standards that shaped Western culture and American society have given way to practical atheism and moral relativism. This decision has simply accelerated the rate of decline. A country will not rise above the morality of its citizens, and the majority of Americans don’t have a biblical worldview.
4. Religious liberty is not promised in the Bible. In America, the church of Jesus Christ has enjoyed unprecedented freedom. This is changing, and the new normal may include persecution that is new to us. There has never been a more important time for gifted men to help lead the church by capably handling the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).
5. Marriage is not the ultimate battleground, and our enemies are not the men and women who seek to destroy it (2 Corinthians 10:4). The battleground is the Gospel. Be careful not to replace patience, love, and prayer with bitterness, hatred, and politics. As you carefully guide your flock around the dangerous pitfalls ahead, remind them of the indomitable power of forgiveness through the cross of Christ.
6. Romans 1 clearly identifies the evidence for the wrath of God on a nation: sexual immorality followed by homosexual immorality culminating in a reprobate mind. This most recent step reminds us that God’s wrath has come in full. We now see reprobate minds at every level of leadership – in the Supreme Court, the presidency, cabinet, legislature, press and culture. If our diagnosis is in line with Romans 1 then we must also follow the prescription found in Romans 1 – we are not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation! In this day it is our divine duty and calling to strengthen the church, families, and gospel testimony by shedding the pragmatic nonsense that distracts the church from its mission given by God. Homosexuals—like all other sinners—need to be warned of impending eternal judgment and lovingly offered the forgiveness, grace and new life through repentance and faith in the lord Jesus Christ
In the final analysis, your greatest contribution to your people will be to show patience and a steady confidence in the sovereignty of God, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and the authority of Scripture. Turn their eyes toward the Savior, and remind them that when He returns, all will be made right.
We are praying for your steadfast proclamation of truth, and your uncompromising stand for Christ.

John MacArthur

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR JUNE 21, 2015

Cleaning:  Week  June 21—Bev.

Nursery: June 28—Bev.

Hooks, Sticks, and Needles (Women’s Crafting Group): Wednesday 4-7pm at TBC. Check websites for more information.

Follow us on Facebook or at teaguebiblechurch.org.

Sermon 2 Hebrews 1: 1-3 6/14/15 Teague Bible Church
Who? / What? /When? / Where? / Why?

Who wrote it?
Don’t know. It has strong “internal” authority to be included the “canon,” of Scripture. Also accepted early because it was assumed to be the thoughts of Paul, but thoughts written down by an associate. Most scholars do not hold to that, but believe it was written by somebody familiar with Paul, but not Paul, nor the thoughts of Paul given to the author to write down.
( Heb.2:1-4, contrast Galatians 1:12.)
What is it about?
Written to Jewish Christians, belonging to a real local church. They had started well in the faith, even suffering persecution, but now their walk had come to a crawl. They were reluctant to sever their last ties with Judaism which enjoyed the protection of Roman law. They now face the risk of irrevocable commitment to the Christian way. They are encouraged to continue to follow Christ.
When written?
Quoted as early as 95 A.D. Internal evidence shows it was written not long before the persecution of 64 A.D. For sure it was written before 70 A.D. because the temple system is spoken of as still active.
Where were they?
Probably Rome. That squares with the persecution that arose there on several occasions.
Why written?
They need to realize that the New Covenant is superior and permanent, and that there is no going back. To reject Jesus and go back to the elementary things is to be lost forever. They need to press on into this faith that is once for all. The mediator of this New Covenant is the Lord Himself. That fact alone makes it final. His sacrifice for them is once for all. It is the final, and full revelation of God. Several reasons are given to prove this.
*********************************************************************************
Text: Hebrews 1: 1-3 A 7-point description of Jesus

1. “Heir of all things” He is “Lord” of all. He owns it all. He is before all creation.
He is the center point of all creation, the reason it was created.
Read Matthew 11:27
2. “He made all things”
READ Col. 1:15-19 and 2:8-9, John 1:1-3,14-18
Creation was conceived in the mind of the Father, but carried out by the action of the Son. That is a way to logically think about it at least.
Ex. The magnitudes of creation- A beam of light could make 450 trips around the earth in 1 second.
1.3 seconds to reach Mars. 2,000,000 years to reach nearest spiral galaxy; Andromeda galaxy.
Ex. Bacterial Flagellum- The miniatures of creation

3. “Radiance of His glory”
The “visible” manifestation of the “invisible” God. The incarnation of Jesus.
The invisible God veiled in human flesh. I John 1: 1-3
READ John 1: 18 and I Timothy 6: 15-16
What did Jacob, Moses, Elijah and others see? Anthropomorphism and anthropopathism.
The outshining of God, undiminished as it reaches out. No fading into the distance. The idea of unfading power of God reaching and affecting. Like the “Word” (logos) of John 1. The activity of divine will.
READ John 12: 44-45
************************( will start here on 6/21/15)***********************************
4. “Exact representation of His nature”
Greek; Xapaktnp- “character” -To cut, to mark, to imprint.
Does that sound like a word we use today?
We say someone made an “impression” on us.
Ex. Gold in a mold. The mold puts character marks into the gold and gives it permanent shape.
What is the shape of the quality and attributes and intentions of God if seen perfectly in a
human? It is Jesus. While in incarnation on the earth, He is “functionally” subordinate
to the Father, but not “intrinsically” subordinate to the Father.
Ex. Child looks like biological parent
John 10:30 “I and the Father are one” Not the same person, but the same essence.
Greek: Neuter gender ( hen ) here rules out any thought of this meaning “one” in person.
It means “one in nature” with God. The hearers knew exactly what He
was saying! Ck. V.31-33 A description only true of God Himself!
READ John 14:1, 6-9

5. “Upholds all things”
Col. 1:17 “in Him, all things hold together”
Ex. Albert Einstein- last 25 years of his life trying to formulate the unified field theory. Some higher law of physics that holds together the 4 lower laws;
Strong nuclear- energy travel of radio, micro, ultraviolet, and gamma rays.
Weak nuclear- beta decay of neutrons in radioactivity
Electromagnetic-
Gravitational-
How do these things act at a distance?
Job 26:7 “He hangs the earth on nothing.” (gravity)
Heb. 1:3 “upholds all things by the Word of his power” (The nuclear and electromagnetic forces)

6. “He made purification of sins”
First mention of His work as our high priest
All who responded to the revelation God gave them, at any time in history, are saved by the blood of Jesus. O.T. believing remnant and N.T. era believers. O.T. saints were saved on credit. They looked ahead to the cross; we look back on the cross. Only one plan of God, but progressive unfolding of His plan through the ages.

Respond to the revelation you have:
If a person runs from God, on the little he knows now, why would more revelation help him?
Ex. Luke 16: 28-31 Advanced info, miracles, would not convince the self-centered life.
Ex. John 7:17 “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching,
whether it is of God or I speak from Myself.”

7. “He sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high”
“sat down” John 10:12 “it is finished”
“at the right hand” supreme authority to command
This is where Jesus was before (John 17:5,) but He has proved His right to it, by His suffering love for us.
The plan of God; and the motive of God can be trusted.

II Cor. 8:9 “ for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

Please join us in today’s word. And let us know what you think….either in our comment section or in person at our next service. Join us every Sunday at 9:45am for Sunday School and at 10:45am for Worship Service. We’d love to see you here!

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR JUNE 14, 2015

Cleaning:  Week  June 14—McClellans.

Nursery: June 21—Christine.

Hooks, Sticks, and Needles (Women’s Crafting Group): Wednesday 5:30pm at TBC. Check websites for more information.

Follow us on Facebook or at teaguebiblechurch.org.

Teague Bible Church **** HEBREWS **** An Introduction Started today 6/7/15
Sermon One: Please listen to sermon at teaguebiblechurch.org
F.F. Bruce, “ Others find themselves out of their depth when they come across references to, ‘the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean,’ and wonder what all this has to do with knowing God? The writer to the Hebrews, in fact, is concerned to argue that all this has nothing to do with knowing God; but he is dealing with people who had been brought up to think that it had much to do with it. But what has his argument to say to readers today,,,? It has this to say; that knowing God or the worship of God is not tied to externalities of any kind. Our author is insisting on the inwardness of knowing God.”
( Ck. I Samuel 15:22, Isaiah 1: 11-15, Acts 15:10, Romans 7:4, Galatians 2:20, 3:21-29)
Read Hebrews 1: 1-3 Why this progressive unfolding of God’s plan? Why not all at once?
Sin caused incredible damage to the relationship between God and man, so man must “learn how to walk all over again” by lessons that prepare him for the fullest revelation in Christ.
Ex. The wooden gun
Ex. The parent who wants to be friends with their kids first and belives that disciple, respect, knowledge,
discernment, and love will come automatically. It creates little monsters.
The Old Testament shows the need for all the “training wheel” lessons ( Galatians 3:24)
before the reality of the fullness of revelation in Christ.
The book of Hebrews answers many of the most important questions you will ever have about life and God’s plan for you in that life.
Such questions as;
How do I know I am really saved?
What is the predominate sign that I am saved?
How can I face my upcoming physical death with hope and courage, and not dread fear?
How do I know my sins will not come back to condemn me?
What if I did not try hard enough to keep saved?
Am I the one keeping me saved?
Does God understand, and can He help me when I am tempted to sin?
Is there a real daily peace and daily rest I can have as I face each day in this fallen world?
Since I are not perfect yet, how could I ever desire to come to God often and enjoy His company?
God would have to be disappointed with me most of the time, right?
Since Christ is so different than me, does He really understand my struggles?
Why does life have to be so hard?
How do I recover from long , dry spells in my walk with God, and have a joyful, vital walk with God?
How can I learn to think more deeply and activate knowledge of God and get it on the ground?
How can I “connect- the- dots” and get the big picture of God’s plan?
Why is going to church so important?
How do I have confidence in the midst of a doubting world?
NOTES:

Please join us in today’s word. And let us know what you think….either in our comment section or in person at our next service. Join us every Sunday at 9:45am for Sunday School and at 10:45am for Worship Service. We’d love to see you here!

TBC SCHEDULE FOR JUNE 7, 2015

Cleaning:  Week  June 7—Arnolds.

Nursery: June 14—Bev.

SPT MEN’S DINNER: Friday, June 12 6pm at Petty Home. Food sign-up list available. All men invited to attend.

Hooks, Sticks, and Needles (Women’s Crafting Group): Wednesday 5:30pm at TBC. Check websites for more information.

HS&N CRAFT-IN: Friday, June 12 4pm to midnight. Bring your favorite snack food and any craft you want to finish, need help with, or want to start. All crafters welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by adult. Food sign-up list available.

Follow us on Facebook or at teaguebiblechurch.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MAY 31, 2015

Cleaning:  Week May 31—Kerrs.

Nursery: June 7—Linda P.

SPT MEN’S DINNER: Friday, June 12 6pm at Petty Home. Food sign-up list available. All men invited to attend.

NO YOUTH GROUP THIS WEEK. Have a happy and blessed summer vacation!

Hooks, Sticks, and Needles (Women’s Crafting Group): Wednesday 5:30pm at TBC. Check websites for more information.

HS&N CRAFT-IN: Friday, June 12 4pm to midnight. Bring your favorite snack food and any craft you want to finish, need help with, or want to start. All crafters welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by adult.

Follow us on Facebook or at teaguebiblechurch.org.