Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Pastor Kurt Skelly challenges students to rediscover their motivation for ministry by examining the familiar passage where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, emphasizing that this question gets to the heart of why we serve.

Scripture Text

John 21:15-17

Main Points or Ideas

• The rebuke of Christ - Jesus' repeated question "Do you love me?" serves as a rebuke, calling Peter (and us) to examine our motivations and go back to those foundational moments when God called us to ministry
• A range of considerations - The phrase "more than these" could refer to loving Jesus more than other disciples, more than material pursuits (the fishing industry), or more than these other disciples love Jesus, with the latter being most likely given Peter's previous claims
• The repetition of the command - The emphasis is not just on the repeated question but on the repeated command to "feed my sheep," showing that love for Jesus must be demonstrated through service to His people

Conclusion

Jesus isn't looking for verbal declarations of love but for us to show our love by feeding His sheep, serving the people around us, and making our devotion practical through ministry to others.

Kurt Skelly emphasizes the power and importance of friendship, particularly in Bible college, noting that friendships will likely influence students more than their classes, and examines the friendship between David and Nathan as a model.

Scripture Text

2 Samuel 7:1-3; 2 Samuel 12:1-7

Main Points or Ideas

1. Friends share spiritual desires - True friends are those with whom you can share your deepest, God-given desires and dreams for ministry, bound together by mutual love for God and His Word.
2. Friends encourage godly pursuits - Like Nathan encouraging David's desire to build God a house, good friends say "go for it" when we have godly ambitions and serve as sources of encouragement rather than discouragement
3. Friends clarify God's Word - God uses friends to help friends see their blind spots and understand His will, as Nathan clarified God's message to David about the temple
4. Friends help friends see themselves - When friends fall into sin, true friends love enough to speak hard truths, as Nathan did when he confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba

Conclusion

We all need friends like Nathan who will encourage us spiritually, clarify God's Word in our lives, and lovingly confront us when necessary, while we should also strive to be that kind of friend to others.

A special chapel service focusing on the most important weekend of Christian belief - Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. The service emphasized reading Scripture and reflecting on the painful but necessary story of Christ's suffering.

Scripture Text

Luke 22:54-23:56

Main Points or Ideas

The service consisted primarily of Scripture reading from Luke's Gospel, covering:

• Peter's denial of Christ during his arrest and trial
• Jesus before the high priests, Pilate, and Herod
• The crucifixion at Calvary, including Christ's words of forgiveness and final moments
• The burial by Joseph of Arimathea

The speaker reflected on why it's called "Good Friday" - because despite the terrible suffering, it was necessary for salvation. The day marked the dramatic culmination of God's plan to save His people from sin. God's wrath against sin had to be poured out on Jesus so that God could be both just and the justifier of those who trust in Jesus.

Conclusion

Good Friday is both dark and good because it represents where God's wrath and mercy met at the cross, fulfilling Isaiah 53's prophecy that Christ was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.

Dr. Tim Sigler concludes his 3-part series by examining Hamas as a terrorist organization, addressing whether current events fulfill Bible prophecy, and emphasizing Jesus's Jewish identity in gospel presentation.

Scripture Texts

Matthew 1:1, Romans 1:3, 2 Timothy 2:8

Main Points or Ideas

Many Christians overlook Jesus's Jewish identity:

• Jesus is introduced as Son of David - Matthew 1:1 immediately establishes Jesus's Jewish genealogy and messianic credentials
• Paul emphasized this in his gospel - 2 Timothy 2:8 shows Paul made Jesus's identity as "offspring of David" central to his gospel presentation
• Essential for faithful gospel presentation - Separating Jesus from His Jewish identity promotes anti-Semitic theology and misses the biblical storyline

Who is Hamas and why are they terrorists?

• Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas is an acronym in Arabic meaning "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya," founded in 1987 from the Muslim Brotherhood
• Four main goals from their charter:
• Use of human shields - Hamas deliberately operates from hospitals, schools, and churches to maximize civilian casualties when Israel responds

Is current conflict fulfillment of Bible prophecy?

• Ezekiel 38-39 describes future Russian invasion - But timing in prophetic chronology is debated among scholars
• Newspaper exegesis dangers - We understand prophecy better after fulfillment than before
• Ethical eschatology application - Regardless of timing, we should live today knowing Jesus is coming and judgment is coming

Conclusion

Christians should be biblically informed about Israel, recognize the gospel's Jewish roots, understand the true nature of terrorist organizations like Hamas, and live with urgency knowing that current events remind us of God's sovereign plan and Christ's return.

Dr. Tim Sigler continues examining Israel's current conflict by addressing who the Palestinians are, whether Jews are occupiers of Palestinian land, and exposing common anti-Semitic arguments used against Israel.

Scripture Texts

Isaiah 53:8-10, Acts 2:23, John 10:18

Main Points or Ideas

Who are the Palestinians?

• Origin of the term "Palestine" - In 132 AD, Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed the land after the ancient Philistines (who were no longer a threat) to psychologically punish the Jewish people after revolts
• No connection to ancient Philistines - Modern Palestinians have no ethnic, cultural, or linguistic connection to the ancient Philistines, who were "Sea Peoples" from a different region entirely
• Part of larger Arab expansion - Palestinians are part of the broader Islamic conquest movement throughout the Middle East and North Africa, not an indigenous people group
• No elected consensus - Mahmoud Abbas has ruled since 2005 without new elections, while Hamas controls Gaza through force

Are Jews occupiers of Palestinian land?

• Enduring Jewish presence - There has been a continuous Jewish presence in the land throughout history
• No Palestinian state existed - There was never an organized Palestinian state with governors, presidents, or clear governmental structure
• Israeli Arabs have full rights - Arabs who remained when Israel was established became Israeli citizens with voting rights and representation in Parliament

Anti-Semitic tropes exposed:

• "Israelis aren't real Jews" - The false Khazar theory attempts to delegitimize Jewish people's connection to the land
• "Jews killed Jesus" - Bad theology that contradicts Scripture's teaching that Jesus willingly gave His life according to God's predetermined plan

Conclusion

Many common arguments against Israel stem from anti-Semitic lies rather than historical facts, and Christians must understand both biblical history and world history to respond biblically to contemporary issues.

Dr. Tim Sigler addresses the need for biblical understanding of current events, particularly the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, emphasizing that informed believers need Scripture's guidance on contemporary issues.

Scripture Texts

Romans 11:28-29, Romans 9:3-5, 2 Chronicles 6:5-6, Zechariah 2:7-10

Main Points or Ideas

Why is Israel special to God?

• God's irrevocable promises - Romans 11:29 states that "the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable," meaning God keeps His promises to Israel despite their current unbelief
• Israel's unique privileges - Romans 9:4-5 lists Israel's special relationship with God: adoption as sons, the glory, covenants, the giving of the law, temple service, promises, the patriarchs, and the Messiah
• God's chosen people and place - God chose both a people (Israel) and a place (Jerusalem) as part of His redemptive plan
• The apple of His eye - Zechariah 2:8 warns that touching Israel is like touching the apple of God's eye, explaining why nations that attack Israel face consequences

The gospel story is fundamentally about Israel - if Jesus isn't the Jewish Messiah, He isn't anybody's Messiah. Scripture was written in real history about real places that can still be visited today.

Conclusion

Understanding Israel's special place in God's plan helps believers properly interpret current events and recognize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises throughout history.

Rob Watkins examines the difference between little faith that Jesus rebukes and great faith that He commends, using the example of the Canaanite woman to understand what kind of faith truly pleases God.

Scripture Texts

Matthew 15:21-28, Hebrews 11:6

Main Points or Ideas

The Canaanite woman's approach demonstrates great faith:

1. She recognized her need for mercy - "Have mercy on me" - acknowledging she deserved nothing and needed God's unmerited favor.
2. She acknowledged Jesus's authority - Calling Him "Lord" showed submission to His power and position.
3. She identified Him as Messiah - "Thou Son of David" revealed her understanding of Jesus's true identity as the promised Messiah

Four obstacles she overcame that would have stopped most people:

1. She was ignored - Jesus initially answered her not a word.
2. She was marginalized - The disciples wanted to send her away, considering her case unimportant.
3. She was categorized - Jesus stated He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, placing her in a seemingly hopeless category.
4. She was tested - [The transcript appears to cut off before completing the fourth obstacle]

The woman's persistence despite these obstacles demonstrated faith that refused to give up, continuing to believe in Jesus's character and power even when circumstances seemed discouraging.

Conclusion

Great faith perseveres through obstacles and continues to trust in Christ's character and ability, even when facing apparent rejection or delay.

Dr. Jeff Redlin uses Old Testament pictures to illustrate New Testament truths, showing how the wilderness experiences and Jordan crossing provide patterns for victorious Christian living and experiencing God's wonders.

Scripture Text

Joshua 3

Main Points or Ideas

1. Face your past - Like Israel at the Jordan River, we must confront past failures without letting them define our future. The just man falls seven times but rises again. We need to "kick our emotions into obedience" rather than being controlled by feelings.
2. Be ready for trials - God uses various trials to prepare us for His purposes. What matters isn't the size of the trial but how we respond to it with trust in God's goodness.
3. Stand back up and bless the Lord - Following the pattern of faithful saints who worship God even in difficult circumstances.

The Old Testament provides pictures of New Testament truths - like the tree making bitter water sweet (foreshadowing the cross making living water available), and striking the rock once (Christ was smitten once for our sins, now we can speak boldly to God).

Conclusion

College students are in a unique position to be bold enough to say "Let's see what God can do" and experience His wonders through faithful obedience and trust, even when facing various trials and challenges.

Daniel Hartwig addresses the need to fix problems with our thinking at the source rather than continually fighting wrong thought patterns, using Paul's instructions in Philippians 4:6-9 as the solution.

Scripture Text

Philippians 4:6-9

Main Points or Ideas

1. Stop thinking and start thinking (verses 6-7) - Replace anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving. When we pray with grateful hearts, remembering who God is and what He's done, our focus shifts from our problems to our great God. The result is the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds
2. Stop feeling and start focusing (verses 8-9) - Think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report rather than lies, negativity, or corrupt thoughts. Focus on excellent and praiseworthy things, then do what you've learned from godly examples

The power for this transformation comes through Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:12-13), not our own effort. We must think right first, then do right, and then feelings follow - not the other way around.

Conclusion

True change happens by fixing our thought patterns according to God's Word, focusing on truth rather than feelings, and following godly examples, all empowered by Christ working in us.

Andy Stearns shares from his personal experience of walking through deep waters with his wife's terminal illness, using Job chapter 1 to show how believers can walk through suffering in a way that honors God.

Scripture Text

Job 1

Main Points or Ideas

Three ways to walk through trials like Job:

• Walk uprightly - Job was blameless, upright, feared God, and turned away from evil. His character was thoroughly godly both externally and internally. Walking uprightly prepares us for trials through sanctification
• Be ready for the trial - God sovereignly allowed Satan to test Job, demonstrating that trials serve God's purposes. Satan's real argument was against God's character, claiming God only has followers because He pays them off. We must wrestle with God's sovereignty over every event
• Stand back up and bless the Lord - Despite losing everything, Job worshiped, saying "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." It's biblical to lament and call evil what it is, but we can still trust God's unchanging character

The entire book of Job is about vindicating God's character, not just about Job's suffering. When we stand up and bless God in trials, it demonstrates His worthiness and defeats Satan's accusations.

Conclusion

God's character never changes even when circumstances change constantly. Believers can walk through trials by remembering they are servants of a sovereign God and choosing to bless Him regardless of circumstances.