BibleNerd

The best sermon preached on Mother’s Day at Calvary Chapel Burbank was from my Mom (and it’s only 4 minutes long!).

As we begin this journey through the Gospels my heart jumps at the chance to soak in the life of Jesus for a couple of years. He is the center of the Bible, the center of history and the center of our worship. The Psalmist said, “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” We can pray, “Open my eyes Lord to see You!”

Today we finish a 10 year & two month journey through the New Testament on Sunday mornings. My sermon files say that we began with Luke chapter one verse one on February 3, 2002. We proceeded to the Book of Acts and then straight through the New Testament until today, March 25, 2012. There were several passages where we slowed down for emphasis. I remember Romans chapter 8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians on marriage & family and Hebrews chapter 11 in particular. Other times we sped up. Still other times there were special messages. During the time of our big move to 2707 N. Glenoaks Blvd., I count 7 messages that kept us on the same page. There were annual messages for Mother’s Day & Father’s Day, Christmas & Easter.

I remember towards the end of the book of Hebrews that the topic of the last days begins to grow. Looking back it seems to me that James, Peter, John & Jude all have something to say about the last days and the coming of the Lord. It is as if the Holy Spirit speaking through the apostles is preparing the church to study the book of Revelation. You only get this benefit if you study through the New Testament in order. I am not sure if I have ever seen it so clearly. I was expecting our study in the book of Revelation to be extremely difficult. Instead because of our preparation through the New Testament & in light of the days in which we live – it all made sense! We began our study in the book of Revelation on October 24, 2010. Fifty-three studies later we will complete the book of Revelation on March 25, 2012. I can’t wait to start-over with you all!

“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…”

This is what I was trying to preach in the closing illustration last Sunday…

The family & I had a great time recharging in San Francisco during Spring Break…

I received this rendering on a recent Sunday morning from Maren Alff. Thank you Maren!

Hi everybody,

I have been back for a week (anyone else out there having longer recovery times with age?) just reflecting on all that God has done.

I think the cumulative impact of the 4 trips in 11 months has hit me (in a very good way) with a treasure chest of good memories.

Here are some Ugandan Reflections:

1.  I greatly enjoyed being a Timothy to Pastor Dan & John Chubik on this trip.

2.  I am very glad that the African Pastors still teach African style.

3.  I am still more glad that the African Pastors are strongly teaching the Word, the whole Word & nothing but the Word (so help them God!).

4.  I have learned a lot from the African Pastors about worship, church discipline & suffering for Christ.

5.  The spiritual soil in African is very fertile right now.

6.  I believe something new was birthed regarding leadership training that we can take to other countries.

7.  Here are my two favorite quotes from the students:

“I thank God for the great work He has done in me through this training.  Before this training, I thought (I think the devil had deceived me) that I knew how to preach.  Only to find out that I was always preaching away from the Word of God and out of context.  So, servants, may God bless you richly.  The world needs this.”

“At the beginning we found as students we were divided on the basis of doctrines and differences we have in the way things are done in our churches & ministries, but in this final quarter we were in one accord with one mind, the mind of Christ and I strongly believe that as we teach our generation to correctly observe, interpret & apply the Word of God in context there will be peace, unity and the love of God will abound.”

As I told my students, “I am satisfied!”

Thank you for praying.

PT

PS  Pictures from Trip #4 below:

John Chubik teaching Basic Doctrines

Tim Anderson teaching Inductive Bible Study

I had a Darryl Dawkins moment with this glass pulpit!

Pastor Dan Finfrock preaching & opening doors for more IBS Seminars

Summer was ending & I got a chance to bless all the school kids going back to school

Reading 2 Timothy 2:15 (my life verse!) from the graduation certificate

A very happy graduation day for all of us!

We are going to Raise the Roof in Praise tomorrow for what the LORD accomplished in Ten Days through our Calvary Chapel Burbank Team of Ten in Haiti!  People like You!

Haiti 2011

This is a report written by our Ugandan Country Director Moses Ouni.  I like his pictures:

Report from Moses

I believe God has birthed a vision in my heart for future training.  May God confirm it!