Trails Church Base Camp

In this episode, we discuss practical marriage implications of submission and leadership for Christian Marriages. Specifically, how do wives submit to their husbands?  How do husbands lead in a considerate and selfless way? In answering these questions, we dive into 1 Peter 3:1-7 and see what these things mean (and what they don't mean) and how we ought to live our lives as Christians.

Wives:

Godly submission is powerful, beautiful and rewarding.

What does this attitude of submission look like in a marriage?

Husbands:

Godly leadership is considerate and selfless.

Practical Marriage Questions:

1. How should husbands and wives make decisions?

2. How should a husband and wife manage other duties and responsibilities?

3. How should husband and wife lead, care for, and discipline their children?

Additional Resources:

1 Peter Sermon on Marriage: https://open.spotify.com/episode/02xM97P7yhW0Otb5u5CObn?si=aeb0616742664e56

The Meaning of Marriage book: https://www.amazon.ca/Meaning-Marriage-Facing-Complexities-Commitment/dp/1594631875/ref=sr_1_2?crid=13PEYD6MS28ET&keywords=keller+marriage&qid=1646708294&sprefix=keller+marriag%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-2

I. Biblical Masculinity and Femininity in the Context of Singleness.

A. The Bible Celebrates Singleness for Men and Women.

B. The Single Christian Expresses Manhood or Womanhood in the Family of God.

For [single] men:

For [single] women:

II. Biblical Masculinity and Femininity in the Context of Marriage

Men and women are created equal, but with distinct, God-given roles within the family: the husband lovingly leads as provider and protector, and the wife respectfully submits to her husband as helper.

Ephesians 5

Here are 4 observations we can make from this passage:

1. Paul calls wives to submit to their own husbands as to the Lord.

2. The husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church.

3. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church.

4. Marriage speaks to the world about Christ’s relationship with his church.

Could Jesus have sinned?

Were there things that Jesus didn’t know?

As we examine the Humanity of Jesus, questions like these arise from time to time. So, how would we answer these questions using the Bible? And what does Scripture teach us?

In this episode, we dive into a discussion on the humanity of Jesus: what it means for Jesus to be fully man?

We examine the Virgin birth, bodily weaknesses and limitations, and His sinless humanity. We then ask a few questions of how to apply this knowledge of Jesus’ humanity into our lives and wrap up by considering how Jesus’ divine nature and human nature are demonstrably on display within the Bible.

Resources:

The Man Christ Jesus: https://www.amazon.ca/Man-Christ-Jesus-Theological-Reflections-ebook/dp/B00A3L0G5U/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PCHLDP5B8GNV&keywords=the+man+christ+Jesus&qid=1646097694&sprefix=the+man+christ+jesus%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1

Knowing God by JI Packer: https://www.amazon.ca/Knowing-God-J-I-Packer/dp/0830848614/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LDVWS02NN2YJ&keywords=knowing+God+JI+Packer&qid=1646097723&sprefix=knowing+god+ji+packer%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1

What does the Bible say about Femininity?  And how are women especially designed by God to be a blessing in our culture, within marriages, and in the life of the church?

In this episode, we give this Summary Statement of Biblical Femininity:

Biblical femininity is displayed in a gracious disposition to cultivate life, to help others flourish, and to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in particular contexts prescribed by God’s Word.

We then proceed to explain this definition as we walk through the episode.

We also preached through 1 Peter 3 a few months ago in a sermon entitled "Countercultural Marriage" and this would be a great complementary episode to listen to especially in regards to marriage and what it means for wives to submit to their unbelieving husband: https://open.spotify.com/episode/02xM97P7yhW0Otb5u5CObn?si=e603d7c34c8d46ef

In this episode of Basecamp, we discuss the divinity of Jesus as taught in the Bible and why this is important for Christians to reflect upon for our own lives and as we share the Gospel and make disciples.

6 ways the New Testament teaches that Jesus is God.

1. Jesus is called God and Lord (Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 2:11; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13)

2. Not only that, but, secondly, Jesus claimed to be God (John 8:58, 10:30)

3. Jesus Christ is presented as the object of the believer’s faith and trust (John 14:1; 17:3; 2 Cor. 5:15; Eph. 3:12; 5:23; Col. 1:27; 1 Thes 1:3 1 Tim. 1:1)

4. Jesus is presented as the object of the believer’s worship (Matt 2:10-11, 28:17; John 5:23; Phil. 2:9–11; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 5:12)

5. Jesus Christ is described as both being God and performing the very works of God (John 1:1-3, 14-18; Hebrews 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-20)

6) From eternity past, just like God the Father and God the Spirit, He has always existed prior to His incarnation (1 Cor. 8:6; 10:4, 9; 2 Cor. 8:9; Gal. 4:4; Rom 8:3; Col. 1:15-20; Phil 2:6; 1 Tim 1:15; 3:16; 2 Tim 1:9-10).

Council of Chalcedon (451 AD): “We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood [perfect here means complete in all respects]; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood [consubstantial means having the same substance or essence of being]; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly [that means not mixed up or in disorder], unchangeable, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning him, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.

Why does the deity of Christ matter?

1. The deity of Christ matters for revelation.

2. The deity of Christ matters for salvation.

3. The deity of Christ matters for all of the Christian life, for how we live from this moment onwards.

Sermon Resource:

How God Became Man (from our Miracles Sermon Series): https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Zvh53pqN7pMUYFS2KFtqz?si=cxSRPd7fRQ21QOzPMSTFnw

In this episode, we discuss Biblical Femininity and what it means to be a godly woman.

1) Women have far greater dignity and worth than the world ascribes to them: they are created in the image of God to display his glory throughout the universe.

2) Women have a far greater problem than the world recognizes: the problem of sin and rebellion against God. But they also have a far greater Savior than the world offers: A Sinless Servant who was radical in the way he befriended women and offered them life.

3) Women have been given instruction by this Savior in His Word on how they are to express their femininity.

Before we dive in, we discuss:

1) how women called to seek godliness.

2) understanding that creation is fallen

3) sometimes describes femininity in the context of a marriage relationship (but how we can also look at single ladies in Scripture to see exemplary, strong women)

Genesis 1-3.

Eve was to be Adam’s equal, with her own distinct gifts, who would complement him in every way even as she submitted to his leadership in their marriage. She would improve his weaknesses and sharpen his strengths. She was to use her wisdom, strength, perspective, insight, and creativity to help him in ways that he crucially needs.

Matthew Henry: “the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.”

Femininity tends to involve what we’re going to call a relational disposition; women in particular seem designed to be relationally oriented and to use their strength and energy to nurture and bring life to others - they are the relational centres of their homes, binding others together in life-giving and nourishing ways.

Paul exhorts women in Titus 2:3 to train other women in godliness.

Luke 8:3 with Mary, Joanna, Susanna, and others provide for the needs of Jesus and his followers. Not just physically, but spiritually, give your lives to helping our church sustain and nurture spiritual life in those around you.

Proverbs 31

More info on from the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (https://cbmw.org)

In this episode, we discuss the doctrine of sin and why it's important to study as Christians.

Three things about all sin generally:

And before we close our episode, I want to give us seven statements that help us to understand the Doctrine of Sin:

1.  Inherited Guilt: meaning: We are counted guilty because of Adam’s sin.

2. Inherited Corruption: We have a sinful nature because of Adam’s sin.

3. Total Depravity: In our natural state we lack spiritual good before God.

4. Total Inability: In our actions we are unable to do spiritual good before God.

5. All are sinful before God.

6. A single sin makes us legally guilty before God.

7. We deserve God’s eternal wrath because of our sin.

In this episode of BaseCamp, we continue our conversation on Biblical Masculinity.

Definition: BIBLICAL MASCULINITY IS DISPLAYED IN A SENSE OF BENEVOLENT RESPONSIBILITY TO TEND GOD’S CREATION, PROVIDE FOR AND PROTECT OTHERS, AND EXPRESS LOVING, SACRIFICIAL LEADERSHIP IN PARTICULAR CONTEXTS PRESCRIBED BY GOD’S WORD.

1. Biblical masculinity expresses itself not in the demand to be served, but in the strength to serve and to sacrifice for the good of others.

2. Biblical masculinity doesn’t have to initiate every action, but feels the responsibility to provide a general pattern of initiative.

3. Biblical masculinity accepts the burden of the final say, but doesn’t presume to use it in every instance.

4. And then, fourthly, biblical masculine leadership is a call to repentance and humility

Welcome back to BaseCamp as we are walking through one of the most important discussions that Christians across Canada are processing through, right now, in light of the recent passing of Bill C-4; namely, is the historic Christian understanding of human sexuality and gender a position that leads to the flourishing of men and women?

What does it mean to be a man?

Is there anything distinctive about manhood? And even if there is something to being “masculine,” .. is it good?

This episode: what God says about true masculinity.

Genesis 1:26-27 | The Bible begins by stating that men and women are equally made in the image of God. They share equal value, worth, dignity, and importance. There is no superiority, and no inferiority.

Men and women are designed by God to complement each other with distinct dispositions and beautiful roles to play according to his design.

Gender is a construct – a divine one. Men and women share a common humanity, equal in value, but we’re not identical.

4 opening considerations

1) We should distinguish manhood from boyhood.

2) To live as a godly man, seek godliness.

3) What tends to be distinctive about being a godly man in particular.

4) Whenever we study God’s creation design, we need to remember that creation is fallen.

IV. Foundations for Biblical Masculinity

A. Adam, the Ground (Adamah), and Exercising Dominion

B. Working and Keeping

C. A Pattern of Responsibility

V. Trust the Perfect Man

Recommended Resources:

Future Men: https://www.amazon.ca/Future-Men-Raising-Fight-Giants/dp/1591281105/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19FC8QVF4ZIHX&keywords=future+men+book&qid=1642647457&sprefix=future+men+book%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1

The Masculine Mandate:https://www.amazon.ca/Masculine-Mandate-Gods-Calling-Men/dp/1567696848/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZD7K4XYPHFRU&keywords=the+masculine+mandate&qid=1642647527&sprefix=masculine+manda%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

Deeper: https://www.amazon.ca/Deeper-Real-Change-Sinners/dp/1433573997/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1871OGS5PQ8XZ&keywords=deeper+book&qid=1642647583&sprefix=deeper+book%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-2

Welcome back to our study in Systematic Theology.

In this study, we are diving back in to our discussion on the doctrine of providence.

In thinking through the doctrine of providence, we might wonder:

Biblical “Givens” - what Scripture makes clear to us concerning divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

3 propositions:

How do we begin to put these three truths together in some compatible way so that we can answer the 3 questions from before?

Compatibilism. DA Carson definition

Thus, the Bible presents these two propositions as compatible, not as incompatible.

- Joseph

- Job

- Jesus

What do we do with all of this?

1. Look at the cross. Romans 5:6-9. Trust that, while we may not understand how it all works together, and why does this or does that, we can be sure that God is a good and faithful God, because he sent his own Son to die for our eternal lives.

2. Look at the end. Rev. 21:3-4: Trust that, while we may not understand God’s sovereignty in all of its respects, we do know how it is going to end. We know what all of this is divine action is working toward – and it’s our own salvation!

John Piper’s book "Spectacular Sins” outlines these things as applications:

Eight Things to Do with Evil

1. Expect evil. “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Pet. 4:12).

2. Endure evil. “Love bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7; cf. Mark 13:13).

3. Give thanks for the refining effect of evil that comes against you. “Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20; cf. 1 Thess. 5:18). “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance . . .” (Rom. 5:3–5).

4. Hate evil. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Rom. 12:9).

5. Pray for escape from evil. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13).

6. Expose evil. “Take no part in the unfruitful works of dark- ness, but instead expose them” (Eph. 5:11).

7. Overcome evil with good. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).

8. Resist evil. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7).

Four Things Never to Do with Evil

1. Never despair that this evil world is out of God’s control. “[He] works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11).

2. Never give in to the sense that because of seemingly random evil, life is absurd and meaningless. “How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! . . . For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for- ever” (Rom. 11:33, 36).

3. Never yield to the thought that God sins or is ever unjust or unrighteous in the way he governs the universe. “The Lord is righteous in all his ways” (Ps. 145:17).

4. Never doubt that God is totally for you in Christ.