We exist to display God's glory, declare God's truth, delight in God's Son, and disciple God's people

Elder Q & A – Session 2

Luke 1:15 – John the Baptist filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb.  Is this the same as the “indwelling of the Spirit” in Acts?
.         OT –  temporarily filled for specific tasks
.         NT – permanent as function of believer in Christ
Did God create evil?         No
.         God’s attributes: Psalm 34:8, 119:68, 1 John 1:5, James 1:17, Genesis 1:38 – ‘it was good”
.         Satan is responsible for sin – John 8:44, Romans 5:12, James 1:13-14
.         Did God ordain evil to accomplish His divine plan? Genesis 50:20, Acts 2:23, Romans 8:28
.         What gives God the most glory?  There are attributes of God that we would never see if there was
.        .         no sin to display them
Remarriage after an unbiblical divorce – attend the wedding/be friends?
.         Don’t make judgments without knowledge
.        .         if truly unbiblical – No – do not attend wedding and sanction adultery – 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
.         Afterward, if friends – show them the sin and call them to repentance
If a teacher you’ve valued falls into sin – do we continue to use the benefits of their ministry/books?
.         If the sin is deviating from the gospel – No
.        .         2 Timothy 3:4-5, 1 Corinthians 3 (‘so-called brothers’), Philippians 1:15-18
.         If the sin is a personal, moral issue but the teaching is still sound – It is a conscience issue.
.                   “The power is not the man presenting, but the power is in the truth presented”
What happened in 2024 that is encouraging to the elders?
.         Godly parents raising kids – Growth in theology and teaching at MBC
.         Willing service by members
.         Desire for spiritual growth
.         Growth in organic discipleship & increase in church membership – Growth in elder team – New
.        .         opportunity at Cedar Creek
.         Body life ministry – Growth to over 200 young people
.         Friendliness of congregation – personal gospel – small groups
.         Ephesians 4 ministry taking place
Do the commands given to Adam & Eve apply today?
.         Yes – we are to be God’s representatives on earth (good stewards) – Psalm 8:6
.         Not necessarily – NT caveats: Matthew 19:11-12, 1 Corinthians 7:34
The favorite dead guy you read?
.         Paul, especially his prayers/Jonathan Edwards (resolutions)
.         Jonathan Edwards – Religious Affections
.         Francis Schaeffer – How Should We Then Live?
.         J. C. Ryle – Holiness
.         Warren Wiersbe’s commentaries
.         John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress
.         Anything by J. C. Ryle
.         Richard Sibbes – The Bruised Reed/Anything by Spurgeon
.         R. C. Sproul
How does God blessing men who led bad lives (Moses, David, Paul) give us direction to live?
.        Grace held in tension between antinomianism and legalism
.        A true believer won’t want to violate their relationship with the Father
.        There was only 1 perfect man – Christ.  Our flaws emphasize our need for Christ – 2 Timothy 2:13
.        God disciplines in ways specific to each believer
Biblical typology
.        A type is a person/event/thing in the OT that symbolizes or foreshadows something in the NT,
.        .        usually Christ or salvation.
.        Not everything is a ‘type’ – If it is truly a ‘type’ the NT will tell us it is.
.        They are meant to drive us  to Christ.
Will there be food in heaven?  Yes
.        God created food to be eaten in the garden of Eden
.        Christ said He would not eat again of the bread/wine until it is eaten in heaven – Mark 14:25
.        In His glorified body (heavenly) He ate fish with the disciples – Luke 24:42
.        There will be fruit trees – Revelation 22:1-3
Elder with ongoing, unresolved issues with adult children and does not display the character qualities of 1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1
.         Once the child is out of the home, that child is responsible for their own actions
.         If you feel there are other character issues, address them with the elder or find another church.

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