Do not love the world!
February 15, 2009 by pastorstjohn
Filed under Sermon Notes
Do not love the world!
- If you love the world, then you do not love God
- If you love the world,then you are opposing God
- If you love the world, then you love what you cannot keep
Sermon Text: 1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
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Announcements for the week of February 15
Men’s Bible Study (evening edition) will be this Wednesday at 7 PM in the JIBC Office. Come for fellowship and Bible Study.
Mission Moment This Sunday, we will have a Mission Moment presentation from New Tribes Mission.
JIBC Youth Group will have a service project on Saturday, February 21 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM for the street kids. We will meet at Darmawangsa Square promptly at 9:00 AM and leave from there in a Blue Bird bus. All participants will be brought back to Darmawangsa Square at 1:00 PM for pick up. Permission slips are required and have been distributed at the Friday Youth Fellowship. Lunch and travel fee will be provided. If you need a permission slip or other information, please find Edna Romulo or Jill Sharp after the service.
Lord’s Supper Next week, Feb 22 we will have the Lord’s supper.
The Teaching of Jesus
February 12, 2009 by pastorstjohn
Filed under Weekly Words
Dear friend,
When Jesus spoke, things happened!
“And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee” (Mark 1:22,27-28).
The message Christ preached in Galilee was different than the words of other religious teachers because He got results. Hard-hearted sinners were softened. Demons were cast out. Those who listened to the Lord’s preaching heard words that made an immediate difference in the way they lived and thought. People were changed from the inside out. The authority of Jesus’ words had an amazing impact.
Of course, our King Jesus still lives, reigns, and speaks to us today! His message is active and powerful. The exciting thing about reading, listening to, studying, and sharing the words of Jesus is that He still gets results. The Lord is still in the business of changing hearts and transforming lives. With this in mind, friend, dig into your Bible and listen earnestly to Jesus speaking. Also, never hesitate to share the words of our Lord with another person. Remember, King Jesus is not like those other religious talkers. He speaks with authority!
Your servant,
Stephen
Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder
Announcements for the Week of February 8
Men’s Bible Fellowship (lunch edition) will be this Wednesday at 12 PM. Come for fellowship and Bible Study.
We welcome Dr. Matthew St. John as our special speaker this morning. He is the teaching pastor of Bethel Church in Fargo, North Dakota. Matthew has preached in many different countries and is on the board of directors for CAM International. Before settling in North Dakota, Matthew served as the senior pastor of the historic Scofield Church in Dallas, Texas. Matthew is married, has two daughters, and is Pastor Stephen’s brother.
If you have signed up for a baby/child dedication then you are invited to attend a brief meeting with the pastor on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 10 AM here in the Occasion. The purpose of this meeting will be to explain the meaning of baby/child dedication and to schedule time for the dedications. If you are unable to attend on the 15th, then Pastor Stephen will contact you to set up another time.
There will be a Friday Youth Fellowship (FYF) this Friday night at the Baguley’s. See you at six for food, fellowship, and fun. If you have any questions please see Mrs. Edna or Jill. You may also contact the church office for more information.
Mission Moment Next Sunday, we will have Mission moment presentation from New Tribes Mission.
The Prayer That Never Fails
February 5, 2009 by pastorstjohn
Filed under Weekly Words
Dear friend,
While reading a novel a few years ago, I noticed the author would often have the main character pray “the prayer that never fails.” It was not clearly stated what the prayer was. This was puzzling. Finally, deep into the book, it was revealed. The prayer that never fails is: “Thy will be done.” That is indeed a great way to pray!
Of course there is nothing wrong with specific prayers. The Bible tells us not to “be anxious about anything, but in everything let our requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). We are invited to “cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us” (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus himself prayed to God for a specific thing on more than one occasion. For example, in the garden he prayed, “Father if it is possible, let this cup [death on the cross] pass away from me” (Mt. 26:39a). However, the Son of God added to his sinless prayer the perfect request, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Mt. 26:39b). We should follow his example and pray this way ourselves. Why should we add, “Thy will be done” to our prayers?
First, when we make our specific prayer we do so from our finite human perspective, but God’s mind is infinite and he sees things we cannot. Second, God’s will is for the good of all who love him (Rom. 8:28). He is not mean. His will is always best for us even when we do not understand. Third, when we pray this way we are reminded that God always answers our prayers. He just does not always answer the way we think he should! Finally, it reminds us not to pray without considering the plans and wishes of the Lord.
So pray for every detail, but don’t forget that your Father in heaven always knows best. Whether you say the words or not, be sure your attitude is such that you seek His purpose in your prayers. Then, in your darkest moments, you can pray a perfect prayer that never fails.
Your servant,
Stephen
Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder
Reformed Baptist Institute
February 5, 2009 by Jill
Filed under Reformed Baptist Institute
Glorifying God by equipping teachers, shepherds, servants, and leaders for lifelong service in the Church of Jesus Christ
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” - 1 Timothy 3: 16-17 (ESV)
The Reformed Baptist Institute seeks to give students a deeper understanding of the great truths of the Christian faith in order to increase a love of God and inspire a lifelong service to others through Christian ministry anywhere God calls His people to serve, from home and work to the wider world.
By completing the four core courses, a student can earn the Biblical Leadership Certificate. These courses are designed to give a broad overview of biblical Christian doctrine while equipping students to apply what they learn in their own lives and in ministry to others.
Core Courses
-
SYS 501 Systematic Theology I:
Start Date: August 25, 2009
First basic Christian doctrine course , covering The Scriptures, God, Man, and Christ. A standard evangelical systematic theology text will be used along with the English Bible and the JIBC Statement of Faith.
- SYS 601 Systematic Theology II:
Start Date: January 10, 2010
Second basic Christian doctrine course, covering Salvation, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Future. A standard evangelical systematic theology text will be used along with the English Bible and the JIBC Statement of Faith.
- Bib 501 How to Understand the Bible:
Start Date: TBA
Designed to increase understanding of the Scriptures by giving a broad overview of the Bible, a survey of Old and New Testament history, explanation of different genres in scripture, and tools for studying and teaching from the Word of God.
- PT 501 Christian Living:
Start Date: TBA
Shorter course designed to encourage the application of God’s truth in the life of the believer. Topics include prayer, evangelism, service in the church, living for Christ at work and home, and defining the Christian world and life view.
Course Information
Students may choose whether they want pass/fail grading or a standard grading scale (A,B,C,D,F) used in the courses they take.
A student may complete the Biblical Leadership Certificate with pass/fail. However, if they want to complete a possible diploma level degree later on, then they must use standard grading.
Admission Standards
- Must be a Christian. Application will include a written essay that relates the applicant’s personal testimony.
- Must have at least two years of college or equivalent.
- Must have excellent written and oral English skills.
- Must understand that the Reformed Baptist Institute adheres to the system of doctrine contained in the JIBC Statement of Faith. While applicants do not need to agree with everything in the statement, classes will be taught from that perspective.
Student Application
- Download from here
The Christian Life: From Beginning, to Death, and Beyond
February 1, 2009 by admin
Filed under Sermon Notes
God is concerned about your entire life.
- It is only through Christ that we can have eternal life.
- God works among people from all stages of life.
- We must hear what God has to say to people in the particular stages of life.
- Older Christians
- Strong Christians
- New Christian
Sermon Text: 1 John 2:12-14
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
