Brook Hills College – Blog
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Shh…Tell Everyone!
January 13, 2012 by rachelmnewman
The next Secret Church will be on Good Friday, April 6, 2012, at 6:00 pm. This session’s topic will be on “The Cross and Suffering.” You can read a summary of the topic below.
Tickets: How do I get them? Click here to purchase tickets on Monday, January 23, at 9:00 am (Central Time). That morning, you will see a link on that page to purchase tickets. Come to church on Sunday, January 22, for a special hint in ordering!
Simulcast: Will you be at home for Easter? If you want to do a simulcast at your house with some friends, click here to find out more information about registration. You can begin the simulcast process on Tuesday, January 24.
“The Cross and Suffering”
Suffering is a sobering reality in a fallen world. Followers of Christ are not immune to adversity and affliction. On the contrary, there is a real sense in which following Christ means that trials and tribulations are more likely to come our way. As a result, whether walking through sickness, sorrow, pain, or persecution, the questions abound: Why am I suffering? Where is God when I suffer? How can I suffer well? When will my suffering end? How can God be good and allow such evil in the world? How can God be gracious and ordain such suffering in my life? During this Secret Church on Good Friday, we will explore these extremely profound yet deeply personal questions through the lens of Christ’s sufferings on the cross. In the process, we will come to a surprising discovery of how the gospel strengthens, sustains, supports, and ultimately satisfies us in the middle of suffering.Category: Church, GospelTags: Secret Church, suffering | Comments (0)
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We Need Gospel Reminders
November 14, 2011 by Britten TaylorIf I had the authority, I would make Tullian Tchividjian’s post, “Reminders Are More Effective Than Rebukes,” mandatory reading for all involved in our college ministry…well, in every ministry.
However, since I do not have that ability, I will post a “must read” paragraph from Tullian’s post. And I will just sit back trusting that as you read what is below it will leave you wanting more, which you can have by clicking HERE.
Our calling is not to fix one another! So stop trying! You stop trying to fix me, and I’ll stop trying to fix you. Instead, why don’t we “stir one another up to love and good deeds” by daily reminding one another, in humble love, of the riches we already possess in Christ. All the “good stuff” that is ours already in Christ settles at the bottom when we focus on ourselves more than Jesus (after all, Peter only began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on his performance). John Owen said, “Holiness is nothing but the implanting, writing, and realizing of the gospel in our souls.” And what is the gospel? Not my work for Jesus, but Jesus’ work for me. In other words, holiness happens, not by looking at ourselves but by looking at Jesus. Therefore, it takes the loving act of our Christian brothers and sisters to remind us everyday of the gospel–that everything we need, and look for in things smaller than Jesus, are already ours “in Christ.” When this happens, the “good stuff” rises to the top.
Category: Church, Gospel, MissionTags: Gospel, Holiness, Reminders, Tullian Tchividjian | Comments (0)
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Dodging the Rhino
October 13, 2011 by Britten Taylor The devastating effects of deceptive sin are a common theme in gospel conversations/counseling opportunities with people each day. Disciple-making is often times dirty and difficult. People’s lives are broken and in need of a Savior. That Savior is infinitely more precious than any momentary sinful pleasure this world has to offer, but the ability to see that truth is continually threatened by our great enemies (Satan, this world, our flesh).
With that said, Kris Lundgaard’s book, “The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin” is an excellent read in dealing with the sin in our own lives, as well as sin in the lives we seek to lead toward Christ. This book seeks to bring John Owen’s 17th century work into the 21st century.
Side note: If you’ve ever tried to read Owens, you are no doubt saying, “Amen!”
After several conversations today dealing with the effects of sin in the lives of people, I was reminded how Lundgaard addresses what he calls the “Rhino” of indwelling sin in the believer’s life. The “Rhino” analogy of sin originally comes from a quote by G.K. Chesterton…
If a rhinoceros were to enter this restaurant now, there is no denying he would have great power here. But I should be the first to rise and assure him that he had no authority whatever.
In his book, Lundgaard speaks of the “Rhino” each believer deals with daily…
Indwelling sin is a usurper to the throne who, like the rhino, can at times force himself on us. Even though we rise and tell him he has no authority, he can push us around the restaurant.
He goes on to say…
The more you discover the power of indwelling sin, the less you will suffer its effects. Because the better you know this rhino, the more you will hate it; and to the length that you abhor it – and no farther – you will grasp for grace against it.
Finally, he offers a very stern warning…
But if you don’t find yourself dodging the rhino’s horn day and night in a struggle against sin, it may be that you’ve made peace with the rhino. You are willingly, happily under its power and rule. In that case, you should doubt that you are born of God. NO one who is born of God can live at peace with sin (1 John 3:9). I appeal to you, for the sake of your soul: Run to Christ! Only he can slay the rhino in your heart.
Praying tonight that each of you are running toward the Rhino Slayer!
Category: College Life, Gospel Comments (0)
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Diverse Excellencies in Christ Jesus
October 12, 2011 by Britten TaylorAn impressive paragraph explaining an incredible reality in Jesus Christ…
(from a sermon by Jonathan Edwards, “The Admirable Conjunction of Diverse Excellencies in Christ Jesus“)
There meet in Jesus Christ, infinite justice and infinite grace.
As Christ is a divine person, he is infinitely holy and just, hating sin, and disposed to execute condign punishment for sin. He is the Judge of the world, and the infinitely just Judge of it, and will not at all acquit the wicked, or by any means clear the guilty.
And yet he is infinitely gracious and merciful. Though his justice be so strict with respect to all sin, and every breach of the law, yet he has grace sufficient for every sinner, and even the chief of sinners. And it is not only sufficient for the most unworthy to show them mercy, and bestow some good upon them, but to bestow the greatest good; yea, it is sufficient to bestow all good upon them, and to do all things for them. There is no benefit or blessing that they can receive, so great but the grace of Christ is sufficient to bestow it on the greatest sinner that ever lived. And not only so, but so great is his grace, that nothing is too much as the means of this good. It is sufficient not only to do great things, but also to suffer in order to do it, and not only to suffer, but to suffer most extremely even unto death, the most terrible of natural evils; and not only death, but the most ignominious and tormenting, and every way the most terrible that men could inflict; yea, and greater sufferings than men could inflict, who could only torment the body. He had sufferings in his soul, that were the more immediate fruits of the wrath of God against the sins of those he undertakes for.
Category: Gospel Comments (0)
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Resources for Evangelism & Teaching the Gospel
October 7, 2011 by Ashley ChesnutIf you are wanting to train your small group on evangelism…
“Threads” – This sermon series by David Platt shows how to weave the gospel in your everyday life.
Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World by Becky Pippert – This book looks at how believers can incorporate evangelism into their daily lives.
“Biblical Understanding of Evangelism” – This online resource and podcast is part of the 9Marks ministry, and it identifies what is evangelism and how we can share our faith.
The Fellowship Group Handbook by Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City is a phenomenal resource for small group leaders, and it includes portions on how to gather your small group to show the Word and to share the Word with others.
Here is a video on how to share the gospel on vimeo that you can watch, and it is produced by the Acts 29 Network.
If you have people whom you are discipling who are not practicing evangelism, here is an excellent blog post from The Gospel Coalition that provides information and resources on this topic.
If you need resources for teaching the gospel to others…
“IMPACT” – This sermon series by David Platt teaches each of the five components of the biblical gospel.
“Lifeblood” – This sermon series by David Platt walks through why the gospel is important and how it affects our lives as believers.
What is the gospel? by Greg Gilbert
“The Cross of Christ” – This Secret Church study by David Platt digs into the theology and the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection.
“Crucifixion, Salvation, and the Glory of God” – This Secret Church study by David Platt studies how salvation is made possible through Christ’s death and resurrection and how it is all for God’s glory.
In our college ministry’s Small Group Leadership Development Curriculum, we have a portion on teaching the gospel to your small group and teaching your small group how to share their testimony. For these notes, visit this site and download the two pdfs at the bottom of the page.
If you are specifically wanting to learn more about Islam in order to reach Muslims…
Breaking the Islamic Code by J.D. Greear
Bridges by The Crescent Project (This is a CD with a workbook)
Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad by Timothy George
If you have any other resources that you would like to share, please post them as a comment!
Category: Church, Gospel, MissionTags: Christianity, Evangelism, Gospel, Islam, Muslims, Resources | Comments (0)
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Secret Church Simulcast at Samford University
October 4, 2011 by Ashley Chesnut Shhhh…..Tell everyone! The college ministry at Brook Hills will be hosting a simulcast of Secret Church at Samford University in Reid Chapel on Friday, November 4th!
College students in Birmingham, if you didn’t get tickets to the live event at Brook Hills, you can join us for the simulcast with a few of your friends.
Suggested $2 donation at the door to help cover the expense of the study guide.
Seating will be first come first serve. Doors will open at 5:30pm, and Secret Church begins at 6pm.
This semester, David Platt will be teaching on “Marriage, Family, Sex, and the Gospel.” Be ready for six hours of instruction on what the Bible says about issues that are ultimately foundational for the display of the glory of God in our lives, in the church, and in the world such as…
-Marriage
-Singleness
-Sex
-Divorce
-Homosexuality
-Pornography
-Adoption
-Abortion
-Manhood
-WomanhoodJoin our Facebook event page in order to receive updates about this event and to spread the word!
For more information about Secret Church, visit this site.
Category: Church, College Life, GospelTags: Family, Gospel, Marriage, November 4th, Samford University, Secret Church, Sex | Comments (0)
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Identifying Sin
July 25, 2011 by Britten TaylorI appreciate these two paragraphs on Sin from The Reason for God by Tim Keller:
Everyone gets their identity, their sense of being distinct and valuable, from somewhere or something. Soren Kierkegaard asserts that human begins were made not only to believe in God in some general way, but to love him supremely, center their lives on him above anything else, and build their very identities on him. Anything other than this is sin.
Most people think of sin primarily as “breaking divine rules,” but Kierkegaard knows that the very first of the Ten Commandments is to “have no other gods before me.” So, according to the Bible, the primary way to define sin is not just the doing of bad things, but the making of good things into ultimate things. It is seeking to establish a sense of self by making something else more central to your significance, purpose, and happiness than your relationship with God.
That is a helpful way of evaluating sin in our lives. Just because your life is not spiraling out of control through destructive behaviors such as the tragedy surrounding the death of Amy Winehouse, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re living a life of faith in the Son of God. Too many have understood sin to be the “bad stuff” and have failed to see it as “good stuff” becoming “ultimate stuff”.
Yes, pornography is sin, but so is obsessing over your GPA.
College students must be aware that finding identity and purpose in a certain GPA is as sinful as binge drinking, looking at naked people online, or smoking crystal meth. One set of sins is more obvious, the other is just as sinful, but more socially acceptable. However, both dishonor the God who created us for His glory and both destroy the lives He graciously entrusted to us.
We need to fight against allowing anything other than God’s Word to inform us of our understanding of what grieves Him.
The best way to identify sin is not to size yourself up against one of your classmates, the drunk down the hallway or the sociopathic killer on television. We can always find someone that makes us feel better about ourselves. However, when we start asking probing questions such as…
+What do I love?
+What do I hate?
+What do I put my hope in throughout the day?
+What do I fear?
+What do I tend to worry about?”
…it will begin to uncover some areas where “good things” have become “ultimate things”. Regardless of how others in this world view them, they are still sins that desperately need to be repented of!
Category: Gospel Comments (0)
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Am I really a Christian?
July 6, 2011 by Britten TaylorI think one of the more critical issues facing college ministers, especially in the South, is the sheer number of “Christian” students who have prayed a prayer, signed a commitment card, been dunked… but still are in a love affair with the world, are cold to the commands of Christ and indifferent to Christ’s Bride, the Church. I bet I have counseled with over 100 college students in my short tenure as College Minister at Brook Hills who were wrestling with the question, “Am I really a Christ-follower?”
Enter Mike McKinley and 9Marks.
Mckinley recently published a book through 9Marks that helps the reader think through the question of salvation.
Mckinley says…
So, in Am I Really a Christian?, I look at five things that the Bible says will always accompany true conversion. If you have these things, you have more firm evidence of God’s regenerating work in your life. If these things are absent, you have reason to be concerned.
Belief in true doctrine. You’re not a Christian just because you like Jesus.
Hatred for sin in your life. You’re not a Christian if you enjoy sin.
Perseverance over time. You’re not a Christian if you don’t persist in the faith.
Love for other people. You’re not a Christian if you don’t have care and concern for other people.
Freedom from love of the world. You’re not a Christian if the things of the world are more valuable to you than God is.
If you know someone for whom this kind of thing would be useful, you can check out a website and some videos at amireallyachristian.com.