Men's Fraternity Graduation

We recently finished the 24^th teaching session of Men’s Fraternity. When I began this fraternity, I had no idea how it would turn out.  I had no idea how many men we would have involved in this study or if they would be faithful to it through the end. My desire was to really push it in our fellowship and hope some of our men would show up. To my surprise, we have had upwards of 60 men (sometimes a bit more, sometimes a bit less). But of these men, they have become disciple makers, encouragers, and leaders not only at home, but also at Trinity. Words can not describe the honor this has been for me to spend time with these men every Thursday at 6 am. I know for some it has been a sacrifice of getting up early, and for others it has been a sacrifice of getting off work and coming right to Men’s Fraternity (all sacrificing sleep and time). There are many sweet ladies who have had to get up a bit earlier without any help from their husbands in getting the kids out the door for school…ladies, thank you for serving your husband and our fellowship this way.  In mid January we will be starting a brand new class. This will be a new book, new material and a new opportunity for our men… in this study we will walk through the Word and learn how to live out biblical manhood.  It is also an opportunity for new men to get involved. Please take advantage of this wonderful time of fellowship and learning. In closing, I have put some of the comments from e-mails (minus names or personal information) and the impact our Men’s Fraternity has had: Thank you men and I look forward to our next class!

God made it clear to me that I needed this Bible study, just glad I was obedient because He is working in a masterful way.

Words can’t express what this study has meant to my husband and marriage

I am already at the point of dread, not wanting this study to ever end

This has revealed so of “self” to me! God is really working

Thank God for the men at my table and the honest and accountability we have in place

The reason for the change in our home and church has been this bible study!

I could include many other statements, comments and e-mails, but suffice it to say that this has been a blessing to our men, our families, but above all it has been a blessing to me as your Pastor. Thank you and I can’t wait until January!

Are You Reformed?

Below you will find a short article describing what really should be celebrated today! On October 31^st as believers we should be saying: “Happy Reformation Day!” Yet, sadly most believers today have no educated idea who Martin Luther was or what he did that was so important. In fact, one of my journal entries some time ago, I copied a message that was referring to a sermon I preached where I quoted Martin Luther…the sad part is, this person was wanting to know what Dr. Martin Luther King had to do our doctrine! I can not make this stuff up! Anyway, I came across the blog below that gives a very short summary of Martin Luther. I hope it serves as a blessing to you.  

So, before reading let me help you out on the answer to the blog title’s question… if you are reading this blog…yes, you are either reformed or the alternative, Catholic (and probably just finding out about it).

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-reformation-day-all-about/

What Is Reformation Day All About?

from Robert Rothwell Oct 31, 2010 Category: Articles

At the time, few would have suspected that the sound of a hammer striking the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany, would soon be heard around the world and lead ultimately to the greatest transformation of Western society since the apostles first preached the Gospel throughout the Roman empire. Martin Luther’s nailing of his ninety-five theses to the church door on October 31, 1517, provoked a debate that culminated finally in what we now call the Protestant Reformation.
An heir of Bishop Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther is one of the most significant figures God has raised up since that time. This law student turned Augustinian monk became the center of a great controversy after his theses were copied and distributed throughout Europe. Initially protesting the pope’s attempt to sell salvation, Luther’s study of Scripture soon led him to oppose the church of Rome on issues including the primacy of the Bible over church tradition and the means by which we are found righteous in the sight of God.
This last issue is probably Luther’s most significant contribution to Christian theology. Though preached clearly in the New Testament and found in the writings of many of the church fathers, the medieval bishops and priests had largely forgotten the truth that our own good works can by no means merit God’s favor. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and good works result from our faith, they are not added to it as the grounds for our right standing in the Lord’s eyes (Eph. 2:8–10). Justification, God’s declaration that we are not guilty, forgiven of sin, and righteous in His sight comes because through our faith alone the Father imputes, or reckons to our account, the perfect righteousness of Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).
Martin Luther’s rediscovery of this truth led to a whole host of other church and societal reforms and much of what we take for granted in the West would have likely been impossible had he never graced the scene. Luther’s translation of the Bible into German put the Word of God in the hands of the people, and today Scripture is available in the vernacular language of many countries, enabling lay people to study it with profit. He reformed the Latin mass by putting the liturgy in the common tongue so that non-scholars could hear and understand the preached word of God and worship the Lord with clarity. Luther lifted the unbiblical ban on marriage for the clergy and by his own teaching and example radically transformed the institution itself. He recaptured the biblical view of the priesthood of all believers, showing all people that their work had purpose and dignity because in it they can serve their Creator.
Today, Luther’s legacy lives on in the creeds and confessions of Protestant bodies worldwide. As we consider his importance this Reformation Day, let us equip ourselves to be knowledgeable proclaimers and defenders of biblical truth. May we be eager to preach the Gospel of God to the world and thereby spark a new reformation of church and culture.

---