Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Dr. Marty Herron opened the spring semester with a message about Christian maturity and spiritual growth. He works through the blessings the believer has through God and how maturity happens. Dr. Herron stressed the importance of not misunderstanding the process of sanctification, which is spiritual growth and maturity in Christ. He worked through Romans 5 and how tribulation works patience, which then develops character, which ultimately produces hope.

Scripture Text

Romans 5:1-5

Main Points or Ideas

The Blessings of Justification (Romans 5:1-2, 5)

From justification flow four great blessings:

1. Peace with God (v. 1) — Paul uses the concept of Pax Romana (90 years of peace in the Roman Empire) to illustrate believers' peace with God through Christ
2. Access to God (v. 2) — The word "access" refers to a gateway; Jews understood this as breaking down the temple walls that separated Gentiles from Jews, women from men, and people from the Holy of Holies—Christ tore the veil, giving all believers access by faith
3. Hope from God (v. 2) — We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God—not wishful thinking but genuine belief based on God's promises
4. The Holy Spirit (v. 5) — The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who indwells us

The Secret to Spiritual Maturity: Four Linked Words (Romans 5:3-4)

Paul identifies four words that reveal how spiritual maturity happens between the blessings of hope and the Holy Spirit:

1. Tribulation (verse 3)

• The word means "to press" or "to squeeze"—Jesus promised this in John 16:33
• God uses life circumstances as pressing—not an obstacle but an opportunity

2. Patience (verse 3)

• The idea is "to remain under"—endurance or perseverance
• God uses the pressing of circumstances to bring the wine of joy and oil of gladness into our lives
• The temptation is to get impatient with the pressure and avoid it rather than remaining under it

3. Experience/Character (verse 4)

• The word means "to be branded"—where we get our English word "character"
• Tribulation produces patience, patience produces character—God is pressing a mark on us, developing who we are

4. Hope (verse 4)

• When you embrace adversity → develop patience → build character, you gain hope
• You recognize God is designing and custom-making this journey so you need these experiences
• This hope and love of God is then poured out through your life into other people

Conclusion

The secret to Christian maturity is embracing the blessings of justification—peace with God, access to God, hope from God, and the Holy Spirit—then allowing God to use tribulation to develop patience, which builds character, which produces hope.

Submit your will to God's will, be branded for Christ, and become approved—authentic and whole. The Christian life isn't hard; it's impossible without Christ.

Dr. Herron looks at Luke 19 and the familiar story of Zacchaeus the tax collector. He shares Jesus’ compassion and drawing near to the man.

Scripture Text

Luke 19:1-9

Main Points or Ideas

Three Snapshots of the Story

1. The City — A Place of Luxury

• Jericho was nicknamed "Little Paradise" in the first century and "the City of Palms"
• Wealthy people built vacation homes there; politically well-connected came for retreats and conferences
• Famous for manicured landscapes, rose gardens that perfumed the air for miles, and balsam trees grown for export
• One of three largest taxation centers in that part of the world (along with Caesarea and Capernaum)
• About fifteen miles from Jerusalem, a common stopping point for travelers
• Jesus stopped there about a week before his crucifixion after healing two blind men

2. The Crook — A Person of Shame

• Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, one of only three at this status—the ultimate extortioner
• Jewish people hated tax collectors as traitors and turncoats who collected taxes to finance their Roman oppressors
• He was filthy rich and despised, with only lepers being more hated
• Despite his wealth and status, he was so desperate to see Jesus that he climbed a sycamore tree
• When Jesus looked up and called him by name, Zacchaeus may have thought: "He sees me, he knows me, and he wants me"

3. The Christ — The Provision of Salvation

• Jesus was very personal and purposeful—he paused, went out of his way, and said "I must stay at your house"
• Jesus's whole purpose was to seek and to save that which was lost
• Somewhere during Jesus's time at his home, this crook got converted
• Zacchaeus gave away half his goods to the poor and promised to restore fourfold anything he had taken by false accusation
• He didn't do this to be saved—he did this to demonstrate he had been saved
• His name means "pure and innocent"—after meeting Christ, he finally lived up to his name
• Jesus said, "Today salvation has come to this house...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost"

Three Take-Home Questions

1. If Jesus was willing to stop for Zacchaeus, then who do I consistently walk past because I'm too busy?
2. If Jesus stepped towards Zacchaeus and entered his world, who is the marginalized or overlooked person I need to intentionally spend time with? What interruption could become a divine appointment?
3. If Jesus saw Zacchaeus with purpose, who is the one spiritually curious, hurting, or lost person that I need to pursue this week or month?

ConclusionClement of Alexandria recorded that Zacchaeus left Jericho 150 years after this story and became a pastor at Caesarea—you have no idea what God will do through the seeds you plant.

Dr. Herron challenges the students to serve and love others like Jesus for the upcoming break.

Dr. Les Ollila reflects on the increasing cultural hostility toward Christ and Christmas, connecting it to the age-old enmity described in Genesis 3:15. He organizes his Christmas message around three sets of threes drawn from Matthew 2 and Luke 2.

Scripture Texts

Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:8-14

Main Points or Ideas

1. Three Groups at the First Christmas

• The politicians abhorred him — Herod was threatened by the prospect of a king who would interfere with his right to rule, mirroring growing anti-Christmas sentiment in political culture today
• The religious leaders ignored him — the chief priests and scribes had the content of Scripture down pat and could tell Herod exactly where the Messiah was to be born, yet they had no personal knowledge of the Christ of Scripture
• The Magi adored him — scholarly, skilled in science, and wealthy, the Magi likely traced their knowledge of Scripture back to Daniel, who served as chief of the Magi; they sought, found, and worshipped the young child

2. Three Gifts of the Magi

• Gold — signifying his royalty as the mighty king
• Frankincense — signifying his deity as the ministering priest, who is touched by the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15–5:1)
• Myrrh — signifying his humanity as the martyred prophet, who became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him

3. Three Words of Christmas (Luke 2:10-14)

• Joy — "tidings of great joy to all people"; a holy happiness found in God's presence
• Peace — "on earth peace, goodwill toward men"; a holy oneness with God, as those who were once enemies have been reconciled to him through Christ (Romans 5:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5)
• Glory — "glory to God in the highest"; holy purpose, as believers are alive to glorify God and give a right opinion of who he is

Conclusion

The three threes of Christmas — three groups, three gifts, and three words — together tell the story of why Christ came: to be the mighty king, ministering priest, and martyred prophet whose birth brought joy, peace, and glory. Believers have the blessed privilege of distributing the gift that God made available by grace through faith.

Dr. Ollila spoke about dreams and how the Christian can live and fulfill his/her dream. He looks at the life of Joseph and how he had conviction before he faced crises and did not conform to sin.

Scripture Texts

Genesis 37:1-11; Genesis 39

Main Points or Ideas

How Does a Dream Become a Reality?

1. Have Conviction Before You Face a Crisis (Genesis 37:1-11)

• Know what you believe and why you believe it before getting into a crisis—do not try to make up your mind in the moment
• Joseph had conviction before crisis: he did not conform to his brothers' wickedness, did not conceal their evil, did not contend when sold by his brothers, and did not complain
• Make up your mind ahead of time about what you will and will not do
• Do the right thing so often that when crisis comes, you will do the right thing automatically

2. Live with a Holy Fear of God and Fervent Love for God

• Joseph had a drive to live in the fear of God—practicing the constant awareness of God's presence
• Three keys to maintaining this: the Word of God (Psalm 119:9-11), the worship of God (keeping your heart lifted in praise), and concentrating on the works of God (reviewing how God has worked in your life and family)
• This holy fear and fervent love kept Joseph's purpose clear and unique

3. Have a Committed Loyalty to God-Placed Authority (Genesis 39)

• Joseph maintained loyalty to Potiphar as his master, refusing to betray that trust
• He maintained loyalty to the God he feared—"How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (39:9)
• Stay in the place of protection under God-placed authority—this is protective

• Accept God-given responsibility, God-given restrictions, and the building of right relationships (pattern from Genesis 2:15-17)

4. Deal with Testing and Temptation Wisely

• Avoid the source of temptation—stay away from where temptation would be easy, guard against devices that can become destructive
• Realize that retreat is better than defeat—Joseph ran when Potiphar's wife grabbed him, losing his coat but saving his character
• Joseph was lied about and imprisoned, yet maintained his character so clearly that even in prison he prospered

Conclusion

Don't get in a hurry to see God's hand work—stay focused on loving Him and being obedient to Him. Keep your dream alive if it is a godly dream. Every step and every minute of investment in godly living is worth it when God brings the dream to fulfillment in His timing.

Richard Stratton speaks to the students about how God’s grace is so expansive and sufficient in both the highs and the lows. He points out that nothing can keep one from God’s grace but oneself.

God’s grace saves and sanctifies, and grace can be obtained through going to God boldly and through humbly going to Him.

Scripture Text

Titus 2:11-12

Main Points or Ideas

Definition and Power of Grace

• Grace is goodwill, loving kindness, and favor, but also the merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence upon souls, turning them to Christ, saving them, and then keeping, strengthening, and increasing them in Christian faith
• Grace not only tells us what we're supposed to do but gives us the power to do it—it energizes us to exercise Christian virtues
• Examples of those who found grace include Noah the drunk, Moses with anger management problems, Gideon the coward, Peter the mouthy fisherman, Mary Magdalene from whom seven devils were cast, and Paul the self-righteous murderer

Grace Saves Us (Titus 2:11)

• An appeal to those at Christian colleges who may not yet know Christ as personal Savior—believe today, repent of sin, and believe in Him
• We all have to live somewhere forever; there is life after this life

Grace Teaches Us (Titus 2:11-12)

• Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts—these are "God competitors" that take His place in our lives
• God competitors can be sinful things or even good things like sports, hobbies, studying, scrolling, or gaming that come between us and God
• If you have to be defensive about something you're doing, it's probably not good; ask your friends if there's a God competitor in your life and believe what they say

Grace Empowers Three Ways of Living

• Self-controlled — Grace teaches and empowers us to live self-controlled lives, not through self-help but through God's power
• Upright — Refers to our horizontal relationships with roommates, classmates, teammates, and others; this includes understanding that God created both "rule keepers" and "rule stretchers," and both groups need grace to love each other without looking down on one another or forcing others to violate their conscience
• Godly — Refers to our vertical relationship with God; aspire toward a God consciousness throughout the day, recognizing that Emmanuel (God with us) is always present

How to Receive Grace

• Come to Him — Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace throughout the day to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16)
• Come humbly — God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble; ask the Lord to give you humility, which leads to more grace (James 4; 1 Peter 5)

Conclusion

God lavishes grace upon us in limitless supply. Whether problems are self-inflicted or come from outside circumstances, His grace is still sufficient. Make grace a big deal in your life by pursuing the One who supplies it abundantly.

Dr. Jim Tillotson preaches from Titus 3 as Paul instructs Titus to remind believers in Crete—a culture that hated authority and practiced verbal slander as a fine art—how Christians are to conduct themselves as salt and light in the world.

Scripture Text

Titus 3:1-3

Main Points or Ideas

What Christians Are to Be (verses 1-2)

• Be subject to rulers and authorities — God appoints all governing authorities, and Christians are to obey civil government, pay taxes, and follow laws unless they directly conflict with God's commands. When government forbids what God commands, we obey God over man (Acts 4:18-19). The key question is whether our attitude toward authority communicates honor to the gospel.
• Be ready for every good work — Christians should be eager to serve others with no personal benefit, looking for random acts of senseless kindness. The false teachers in Titus 1:16 were "disqualified for every good work," so good works are one of the key distinctions between believers and unbelievers.
• Speak evil of no one — The Greek word is blasphemy, meaning to slander, curse, or treat with contempt. This applies to politicians, teachers, roommates, family members, and church members. You cannot run people down and simultaneously elevate the gospel.
• Be peaceable — This is the opposite of a quarrelsome, belligerent person. Being peaceable means being a good forgiver, dealing with issues and moving on rather than holding grudges or bringing up past mistakes.
• Be gentle — Gentleness is not weakness but strength under control. Jesus himself was described as "gentle and lowly," yet he was a powerful leader. We are to treat others carefully, like handling something fragile.
• Show all humility to all men — Don't play favorites. Treat everyone well regardless of social awkwardness, handicap, or background, because there is no distinction between Jew and Greek before God (Philippians 2:3-4).

Why Christians Are to Be This Way (verse 3)

• Before salvation, we were all foolish — completely lacking understanding of the things of God
• We were disobedient — rebelling against all God-ordained authority
• We were deceived — Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers just as he deceived Eve
• We were serving various lusts and pleasures — Satan tailors temptation to individual weaknesses, and strong desires became actions
• We were living in malice and envy, hating one another — this describes the unsaved person's perspective toward others

Conclusion

Because we were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved to sin, believers have every reason to live as salt and light—obeying authority, doing good works, refusing to speak evil, pursuing peace, practicing gentleness, and showing humility to all. The goal of the Christian life is not to hide sin but to confess it and pursue ongoing spiritual victory.

Dr. Tillotson encourages students to submit to authority, be models of good works and godly living, and to live like they are saved.

Dr. Dan Brown speaks to the students about how fear causes us to miss out on ministry. He tells the story of the 100 prophets of God that lived in fear and Elijah’s courage to stand up against 450 prophets of Baal. Dr. Dan shows how fear can make someone miss out on many opportunities to see how God works. Elijah worked in defiance against the prophets of Baal, but 100 prophets who were hiding in fear missed out.

Scripture Text

1 Kings 18-19

Main Points or Ideas

1. A Dark Day (1 Kings 16:29-33)

• Ahab did more evil than all kings before him, marrying Jezebel and building a temple to Baal in Samaria
• Apostasy was abounding everywhere with hard times for everyone
• Jezebel was on a rampage killing the prophets of the Lord

2. A Daring Prophet (1 Kings 18:1-2)

• God sent Elijah to confront Ahab after three years of drought and judgment
• Elijah was larger than life, a tremendous man of God who didn't even experience death but was taken to heaven
• He had courage to stand against the wicked, apostate king

3. A Delinquent Steward (1 Kings 18:3-13)

• Obadiah was a high-ranking government official who feared the Lord greatly and had hidden one hundred prophets in caves
• He was a "stealth believer" hiding in plain sight, afraid to reveal his faith to Ahab and Jezebel
• Though he had not bent his knee to Baal, he lived in fear of man, which paralyzed his ministry
• His fear was contagious and kept one hundred prophets safe but ineffective in caves

4. A Damp Cave - Six Ministry Opportunities the Prophets Missed

• They missed the confrontation with Ahab (18:17-18) where Elijah boldly accused the king
• They missed the opportunity to stand with Elijah before all Israel when he challenged the people to choose between God and Baal (18:19-21)
• They missed witnessing the contest with the idolaters and seeing fire come down from heaven (18:22-39)
• They missed participating in executing the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and rescuing Israel from apostasy (18:40)
• They missed the chance to encourage God's prophet when Elijah said three times "I alone am left" (18:22; 19:10, 14)
• They missed the opportunity to potentially succeed Elijah when God had him select Elisha (19:19-21)

Conclusion

Ministry requires putting yourself at risk and stepping into uncomfortable situations where you may be outnumbered. Don't wait in the safety and comfort of training for some future time when ministry will be easier. Get out and serve the Lord today, finding ministry opportunities and putting yourself at risk for the sake of the gospel.

Dr. Mark Lounsbrough spoke in chapel about worry and rest. He looks at how worry robs the believer of rest and encourages the students to cry out to God because He hears. He also urges the students to approach the throne of God with grace boldly. God's help is available in times of trouble.

Scripture Texts

Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 4:8-16

Main Points or Ideas

Philippians 4:6-7 - Praying with Thanksgiving

• Paul commands believers not to worry about anything but to bring everything to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving
• The phrase "with thanksgiving" reveals God's welcoming nature—He doesn't stiff-arm us but embraces us when we cry out for help
• Satan's effective dart is convincing believers they don't deserve God's favor or attention because they haven't reached a sufficient level of spirituality
• We can thank God ahead of time for what He's going to do because His very nature is to desire to answer our prayers
• God welcomes us into His presence not based on our performance but based on His grace

Hebrews 4:8-16 - Approaching the Throne of Grace

• A Sabbath rest remains for God's people—spiritual rest is available even when circumstances rob us of physical or emotional rest
• Verse 16 contains not just an invitation but a command to approach the throne of grace with boldness
• The boldness doesn't come from our own merit or spiritual performance but from seeing and understanding who God is
• We find mercy and grace "for well-timed help"—the Greek word translated "help" is the same word used in Acts 27 for the cables that held Paul's storm-tossed ship together
• Just as sailors wrapped cables around ships to hold them together during storms, God wraps His cables of protection around believers who cry out to Him at His throne of grace

Conclusion

God is not a God who stiff-arms us or requires us to reach a certain level of spirituality before approaching Him. He is a God who embraces and welcomes His children to a throne of grace where we receive mercy and grace that holds us together through life's storms. Seeing God's true nature motivates believers to honor and please Him more than trying to earn His favor ever could.

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 Text

1 Timothy 4:6-16

Main Points or Ideas

Spiritual Health (verses 6-10)

• As an athlete needs physical health to compete, believers need spiritual health to withstand spiritual battles
• Have the right diet by being trained in the Word of God and sound doctrine, never allowing the Bible to become merely a textbook
• Have the right training by pursuing godliness and avoiding irreverent, silly myths and worthless arguments that do not advance God's kingdom
• Have the right foundation with hope set on the living God who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe

Godly Example (verses 11-12)

• Don't let anyone look down on you because of your youth, but come with confidence and humility
• Set 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 Christ

Staying 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 study
• Exercise the gifts God has given you while in school and in ministry involvement
• Practice these things and immerse yourself in them, giving painful attention to spiritual disciplines
• Keep close watch on yourself and your doctrine, persisting in these things

Conclusion

Paul 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.

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 Text

Titus 2:11-14

Main Points or Ideas

1. The Grace of God Saves Us

• Salvation is available to everyone through faith in Jesus—His sacrifice was sufficient to pay for the sins of the world, even the most vile person
• Ephesians 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 Us

• Grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and live self-controlled, upright, godly lives through progressive sanctification
• The 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 accomplished
• We need to preach the gospel to ourselves daily—there's nothing deeper than the gospel
• Our value is what Christ was willing to pay—He purchased us with His blood

3. The Grace of God Motivates Us

• We wait for our blessed hope—the appearing of Jesus Christ who redeemed us and is purifying a people zealous for good works
• Grace is key to both justification and sanctification
• If there's anything we have that the world doesn't, it's eternal hope that's secure
• Paul gave instructions on behavior, then said motivation should not be obligation but living from God's grace
• We 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 approval
• Biblical meditation is filling your mind with Scripture—we need God's truth more than water, food, shelter, or clothing

Conclusion

The 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.