Tabernacle Baptist Church

How do we reconcile what the Bible teaches as God’s goodness and all-powerful nature with the existence of evil in the world? What is the biblical answer to the question “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Having a biblical framework is crucial when bad things happen to us. 

1. When we make bad decisions, CONFESS AND ASK FORGIVENESS.2. When others make bad decisions, FORGIVE THEM. 3. When disciplined by the Lord, REPENT.4. When tested, be PATIENT AND HAVE FAITH.

When times of trouble do come, remind yourself of the words in 1 Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

1. An Overview of 1 Peter- The author is Peter.- It was written in AD 64-65, right around the time that Nero burned Rome.- Persecution was increasing and Peter was writing to believers to remind them of their hope in the midst of difficulties.

2. We are Exiles- Chosen – Jesus does the saving!- Exiles – We live between two worlds and don’t fit in.- Instead of conforming to culture, we are called to be different.

3. Redemption is a Triune Activity - Verse 2 shows us that redemption is a Triune activity – it’s Trinitarian love!- We have been chosen by the Father.- Purchased by the Son.- Set apart by the Spirit.- The sprinkling of Christ’s blood allows believers to have grace and peace.

1. Act Like You Know What You are Talking About- A main theme in 1 Peter is that we should be living hope-filled lives in a hopeless world.- Peter’s presupposition is that we will be living in such a way that nonbelievers will want to ask about the hope we have.

2. Actually Know What You are Talking About- We need to be able to articulate our faith!- Focus on answering two questions:- Why do you love Jesus?- How did he change your life?

3. Win People, Not Arguments- We persuade with gentleness and respect.- It’s not us against unbelievers. They aren’t the enemy. Satan is the enemy!

4. Your Testimony Can Change Lives- You might be the only Bible the lost read.- When we live with hope, the world is attracted to our faith.

Taking the Lord’s Supper was how we decided to start off 2023. What a blessing to be a part of the Tabernacle family! We are certain the Lord still has great things to do to us and through us!

1. There is a Scarlet Thread through Scripture- Every story in Scripture whispers Christ’s name- The common theme that brings all of the Bible together is the atonement 

2. Foreshadowing Swaddling Bands- There is a repetition of the idea of Jesus being wrapped in cloths in both verses 7 and 12- When something is repeated that closely in Scripture, it means we should pay attention!- The lambs used for sacrifices in the temple were raised in Bethlehem!

3. Jesus was Born to Die and his Death Gives us Life!- The only reason we can celebrate Christ’s birth is because of his death and resurrection. He died so we could live.- He gives us the incredible gift of eternal life!

1. God can Turn your Marks of Sin into Memorials of Grace- It’s not a license to sin, or a reward for sin, but we often grow in grace when we are disciplined.- Zechariah had nine months to reflect on God’s promise to him. - Meditate on God’s Word in the midst of difficult times!

2. Jesus is our Horn of Salvation - What does that mean? Not a horn that you blow. - Psalm 92:9-10 gives us a picture of what it stood for: Weapon!- There are only two instances of the phrase “horn of salvation” in the Old Testament and they are references to God, not man.- God is his defense (his shield) and his offense (his deadly and powerful horn).- He is a horn of salvation because he uses his power to secure and protect his people.

3. Our Role is to Point to Christ!- While this message is called “The Other Christmas Baby”, you see that there isn’t much about him here. We find out his name, John, and his purpose…proclamation.- Two big ways that we can point the lost people to Jesus this Christmas season. - Share the message! Let your actions back up your words. - Be generous!

1. Angelic Pronouncements- Mary is given the news that completely flips her world upside down- He is called Immanuel – God with us! (Isaiah 7:14)

2. How Can This Be?-  The angel has to explain to Mary about the Virgin Birth – an incredibly important doctrine forbelievers- Gabriel’s final words? Nothing is impossible with God!

3. Working In before Working Through- Though she doesn’t understand, Mary submits to God’s will- God also works in Elizabeth and her unborn child, John the Baptist- Mary responds by breaking out into a song - God confounds us by choosing the unlikely

1. Breaking the Silence- God speaks after 400 years of silence- God correlates this announcement through Gabriel with Malachi 4.

2. Is this Really True?- Just like Zechariah, our initial response can often be doubt- Make no doubt about it, Luke’s gospel was right on, declaring he had done the work; therefore, what he is writing and telling, is completely accurate. What you believe and what others have taught you is accurate!

3. How Should We Respond?- Either we believe, or we don’t. There is no middle ground- We respond in faith because:- Silence from God does not mean inactivity in our lives- God’s timeline for everything in your life is both right and purposeful- God is sovereign and can do anything he wants!

1. A Heart Revealed- There is something fundamentally wrong if we don’t celebrate God giving grace to others- Jonah wants to remake God in his own image- God is asking Jonah two questions:- Why are you doing this to yourself?- Are you sure you’ve gauged this situation properly?- Jonah was saved from the belly of a fish, but he needed to be saved from the power of sin in his life- God’s response to Jonah’s tantrum is to comfort him

2. Jonah has Misplaced Love- The same God who sent the plant also sent the worm and the wind- God is basically questioning Jonah: how can he love plants more than people?- In God’s city, the inhabitants love people and walk on gold. In man’s city, the inhabitants love gold and walk on people     

3. We Must be Missional, Not Tribal- Jonah values self-preservation; God values self-sacrifice- Does God want us to run away or towards our perceived enemies?- God’s capacity to forgive is greater than our capacity to sin- If we understand the size of our sin and the size of God’s grace, it should lead us to see the size of God’s mission

1. The Church Needs to Redefine Success- Intimidating odds should not make us cower- Hold fast to our supernatural God- Success is obedience

2.  Throw the Pass Anyway- If we proclaim it, God’s Word can change hearts- God humbled Jonah, and then used him to humble the Assyrians- Your lost cause could be God’s tool for greatness     3.  God is Unbelievably Gracious- God has made a way- God’s wrath has been poured out – 2 Cor. 5:21- Let’s celebrate and share Christ’s sacrifice