Guarding the Guarded Gospel

2 Timothy 1:12 says, “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

Paul had believed in Jesus Christ. His conversion from Judaism to Christianity was extreme; read about it in Acts 9. When he said, “I know whom I have believed,” he meant in a way we cannot understand. 

He said, “I am not ashamed.” If you read earlier in 2 Timothy 1, Paul mentioned being the Lord’s “prisoner” and the first part of verse 11 and 12 he mentioned suffering for preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At this point in his life, Paul was literally a prisoner of Rome. In fact, it is highly agreed upon that 2 Timothy was the last letter that Paul wrote; that he died not long after writing it. In 2 Timothy 4:6 he said “the time of [his] departure [had] come.” But he managed to get this letter off before that time actually came

So when he says he is not ashamed he is saying two things at once: he is not ashamed that he is a prisoner for the gospel because he knows Jesus Christ and he is safe, secure for ever. And look how he goes on in this verse, “and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

Until what day? Until the return of the Lord! Until the glorious day of the Lord’s appearing. The resurrection and the return of Jesus Christ comes out in everything that Paul writes.

What had been entrusted to Paul? The gospel. And not just the preaching of it, but the actual working of the gospel in him. Paul knew that Christ was able to guard, or protect, the truth of the gospel within him against all of Paul’s failings, against all opposition, from calamity and persecution, even from death. No one could take what Christ provided.

From 2 Timothy 1:12 through 2:2, the word entrust is use three times in two forms: entrusted, i.e. having been given, vs. 1:12, & 13; and entrust, i.e. to give to others,  2:2. Paul’s use of the word relates specifically to the gospel. He says the gospel had been entrusted to him (1:12), to Timothy (1:13), and that Timothy was to entrust the preaching and teaching of the gospel to others, to whom it has also been entrusted (2:2)!

Christ guards the gospel as it works within us, and as it goes out from us to work in others.

But then, in 1:13, Paul tells Timothy “to guard the good deposit” (that is the gospel within him) entrusted to him. So not only is Christ guarding the gospel’s work within him, Timothy himself is also supposed guard it! That is, he is to pursue sanctification (cleansing from sin by God’s Word) and holiness (separation from the world and devotion unto God).

There is, simply, both incredible news and great instruction for those with faith in Jesus Christ! Christ is guarding the gospel that God has deposited in, us through faith in Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, until the day of redemption (see Ephesians 1:13-14).  That’s irrevocable and will not be withdrawn (John 10:28-29). Yet, we are also to guard the gospel within us: make your calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10), work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12) do not be taken captive by the emptiness of the world (Colossians 2:8),  make no provision for he flesh (Romans 13:14), bring holiness to complete in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).

May we ever trust the One standing guard over the gospel in us, who will never fail, and let us be diligently standing guard over the gospel in ourselves.

Grace & Peace,
John White

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Invite Someone to Church…Every Week

This Sunday we gather to specifically remember the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Though, as Christians, this is something that we do every week on the Lord’s Day, I am mindful that many only think about this once a year when people are constantly posting to their social media, hosting special services, and inviting people to come to church.

And I am thankful for all of those things! Post thoughts and verses about the resurrection! Host special services! Invite people to church!

But please have the right heart and mind behind your invitation! 

The Bible says that all of humanity has strayed like sheep, we have all turned to our own way (Isaiah 53:6), there is no one who fears God (Romans 3:18), we are dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1), under God’s wrath (Romans 1:18).

And we know that through life circumstances, aside from the deep and biggest problem of sin, people are hurt, alone, depressed, anxious, angry. Joy and happiness are few and far between and all the world has to offer is emptiness to fill the void. Nothing that truly meets the desperate need that we have.

When you invite someone to join us this Lord’s Day—indeed, every Lords’s day!—have in mind that they are a soul in desperate need of a Savior. 

Invite them to hear the about the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, the only sacrifice for sin, the reconciliation, love, joy, and peace that come through faith in Jesus.

Peter wrote to Christians telling them that they were straying like sheep, “but have now”—through faith—“returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls,” who is Jesus.

The world at large is still straying and in need of returning to Shepherd’s care. This is why Christian’s gather every Lord’s Day and proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An invitation to church is a call for sinners repent of sin and return to the Shepherd.

I hope you have been able to invite someone to join us this Sunday! I hope you are praying—please join me in praying!—for those who will simply come because it’s what they do at Christmas and Easter. Please join me in praying for those who gather with us each week and have yet to respond through faith to the Good News of Jesus.

Breakfast is at 8:30am, worship at 10am. Lord willing, I’ll see you then!

Grace & Peace,

John White

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Not only sin, but also God's Wrath.

When we talk about Easter, our mind likely (and rightly) go first to the cross and the blood shed for the redemption of our sins, and second to Sunday’s empty tomb and the resurrection of life that brings us new life. Hallelujah!

But I am struck this year, thinking about the sacrifice of Christ, by an aspect of his sacrifice that we may not typically spend time thinking about, and that is this: that on the cross—in the beatings, the whippings, the unfathomable pain, the mental and emotional anguish, the blood loss—the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus for the salvation of spiritually fallen, wicked, sinful man.

Adam’s sin in the garden, and the subsequent sin of all mankind because of it (Romans 5:12) has set mankind at odds with the only holy Lord and God of all creation. Sin brought not only the necessity of man’s physical death, but the reality of spiritual death as well. Ephesians 2:1 literally says that mankind is “dead in” sin. However, not only is man dead in sin, he is the object of God’s wrath.

The Bible says that the wrath of God is coming against sin and the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 5:6, Colossians 3:6). Much of the book of Revelation reveals the reserving of God’s wrath (Revelation 15:7) that will come on wicked, sinful, unredeemed mankind (Revelation 6:16-17). Romans 1:18 says that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Romans 2:8 says, “but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth…there will be wrath and fury.” Jesus himself said, John 3:36, “whoever does not obey in the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Something more than the mere forgiveness of man’s sin needed to take place. I say more than mere forgiveness because certainly nothing less than the forgiveness of sin needed to happen. But words cannot describe how much of a problem sin is; the Father’s wrath against sin needed to be satisfied. And the solution was determined in eternity past.

Isaiah 53 gives us the best glimpse of that eternal agreement between the Father and the Son and, in graphic detail, tells what happened on the cross to settle God’s wrath:

Vs. 5, “He was pierced…he was crushed…the chastisement for our peace was upon him” (NKJV)

Vs. 6, “Yahweh…laid on him the iniquity of us all” (LSB)

Vs. 10, “Yahweh was pleased to crush him, putting him to grief” (LSB)

Vs. 12, “he poured out his soul to death” (ESV)

The eternal Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave his life (John 10:15, 17-18) not only as a redemptive ransom (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, Ephesians 1:7) but as propitiation (Romas 3:25, 1 John 2:2, 4:10) to appease God’s wrath against sin for all who call on the name of the Lord.

New life comes freely to all who believe, to all who obey God, to all who repent of sin and call on the name of the Lord. That new life is free for you and me because it was paid for by another; it cost God his only Son, and it cost Jesus his life. And they both paid gladly. And it is that very transaction that has me bewildered this Easter season. Praise God that the Good News doesn’t end in the death of Christ and the wrath of God being poured out on him! But praise God that Christ bore the wrath of God for sinful man, that through faith we might become the righteousness of God.

Grace & Peace,

John White

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

For All People...All Who Are In High Position.

Christian,

In case you had’t noticed, we’ve entered an election season and as such I want to take this opportunity to remind us our biblical directive concerning politics especially concerning politicians. During the first century, after Christ’s resurrection and ascension, when “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21) and recorded what we call the New Testament, much of the known world was ruled by various emperors or kings. They did not have the political system that we now known in America. The directive from the apostle Paul to Timothy was as follows:

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

In the United State of America, we are nearly 250 years removed from understanding the thought of having a king over us. But though we may not have a king, we certainly still have people to make “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” over—people in high positions. We have a president, a senate and congress, a governor, a state senate and house of representatives, a township board, and a village counsel. We have courts and judges who sit on them, entrusted by the people to rule well.

No, this is not poli-sci or gov/econ class, I’m actually done talking about political things and will not shift to the real point being made in this call to pray for those in “high positions.”

When was the last time you did that? Prayed for “all people…all who are in high positions?” I’ve been personally convicted about this lacking discipline in my own life. If our only prayer for those in high position is, “Lord, please remove them from office” or “Lord, please put them into office,” or if we only pray in election seasons, then I think we aren’t paying attention to what and why we should be praying for them.

In his commentary on 1 Timothy 2, Matthew Henry says, “supplications for the averting of evil, prayers for the obtaining of good, intercessions for others and thanksgiving for mercies already received.” 

Do you pray for the grace and mercy of Christ to meet the heart and mind of sinful men? Do you pray for wicked and sinful men to be gripped by their sin and the holiness of God, that they would be humbled to repentance and salvation through fight in Jesus Christ? Do you intercede for those Christians in high positions, that they might use their influence of try cause of Christ and the Gospel? Do you ever stop and simply thank God that we have such a free and “of the people” form of government? 

Moreover, do you pray for these things in order to live a “peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way?

I cannot help but see a link between the prayer of God’s people for the lives of their leaders and rulers, and the holiness of God’s people. Corrupt leaders give us an opportunity to blaze the holy light of Christ in the darkness. Good, even godly, or God-fearing leaders present us with the opportunity to thank God for his favor and mercy on us in this life. 

Christian, as we step into this season, may we be more mindful of how and what we are praying “for all people…and all who are in high positions.” I’m excited to worship with you all this Sunday! Lord willing, I’ll see you then!

Grace & Peace,
John White

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Wake From Sleep

Hello Kind Reader,

As I have been meditating on, reading over, and praying through Exodus 20 and the application of The Ten Commandments, in my own life and in preparation to speak each Sunday, it has been my earnest desire that our time spent together in this portion of Scripture will awaken us to pursue holiness in a deeper way.

The pursuit of holiness is a beautiful picture of God’s work and man’s responsibility. I have often mentioned this—and will continue to: God makes us holy, and then calls us to be holy. 

God’s work in making us holy begins when he redeems sinful man—when he saves us, which we realize through faith in Jesus Christ. Titus 3:4-7 says:

“when the mercy and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not by works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

As I study and prepare in Exodus each week, I am looking widely across the pages of Scripture at references to “The Commandments.” This week I encountered Romans 13:10-11, which says:

“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”

The part that caught my attention was this: “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.” Romans 13:12-14 goes on to talk about putting away the sinful acts of the flesh and the deeds of darkness. These things lull us to sleep and cause our love to grow cold to God and the things and people of God.

The saving,  washing,  and justifying work of God, that Titus 3:4-7 speaks of, makes us holy. With this work, our spiritual alarm clock begins ringing and it is time, as Romans 3:11 says, “to wake from sleep.”

Sometimes it’s hard to get out of bed. Who dislikes like being comfortable in bed? Who doesn’t hit the snooze button at least once? Who doesn’t have to grind gears some days to wake up and get going? However, just as your day won’t get going until you wake up and get out of bed; neither will you be holy until wake up from the slumber of worldliness and get on with pursuing “righteousness, faith, love and peace” (2 Timothy 2:22).

Christian, are you sleeping? Do you hear the alarm clock but keep hitting the snooze button? Are you being lulled to sleep by the distraction of the world? Through faith in Jesus god has made you holy; it’s time to wake up and arise from he comfort of the world’s bed and pursue holiness, “For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” Christ is coming. Don’t be found asleep when he arrives.

I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday, as Pastor Collins opens God’s Word to Galatians 3:23-29. Lord willing, I’ll see you then.

Grace & Peace,
John White

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Fear the Lord: Worship

Hello Village Family and Friends,

Last week, we examined what it means to fear the Lord and obey Him. This week, we will conclude by focusing specifically on the fear of the Lord as it relates to rightly worshiping God.

Fear the Lord and Right Worship

As we look to scripture, one of the most well-known examples of “wrong” worship of God, comes from Leviticus 10:

“Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans and put fire in them. Then they placed incense on it and offered strange fire before Yahweh, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of Yahweh and consumed them, and they died before Yahweh.” Leviticus 10:1-2 LSB

Nadab and Abihu, the two eldest sons of Aaron, offered strange or “unauthorized” (ESV) and “profane” (NKJV) fire before Yahweh, and scripture states that fire from the Lord consumed them and they died before Him. While we do not know exactly what Nadab and Abihu did wrong, we know that they violated the instruction given by Yahweh for offering incense, by attempting to draw near to God apart from the way He prescribed, and this cost them their lives. 

As we consider the example of Nadab and Abihu and what it means to fear the Lord and worship Him rightly, let us now look to the Gospel of John.

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 LSB

Those who worship God must worship Him “in spirit” - meaning with a proper heart-attitude, not just outwardly, and also “in truth” - meaning worship that is consistent with, and regulated by the truth of scripture. This doctrine is known as the “regulative principle of worship”, in that scripture regulates proper worship of God. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith summarizes this doctrine like this:

“Thus, he may not be worshipped according to human imagination or inventions or the suggestions of Satan, nor through any visible representations, nor in any other way that is not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.”

What does all this mean? Simply put, scripture alone is to be our guide in worshiping God rightly. God’s Word is filled with instruction for how we are to worship Him. Here are just a few examples from scripture:

“Let all the earth fear Yahweh; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” Psalm 33:8 LSB

Awe and Fear - we are called to fear Yahweh and stand in awe of Him, for He alone is righteous, holy, eternal, infinite, just, and sovereign!

“O clap your hands, all peoples; Make a loud shout to God with the sound of a shout of joy.” Psalm 47:1 LSB

Loudly - scripture is not unclear;  our worship should be loud, as we shout and exclaim the name of God with joy! 

“But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.” 1 Corinthians 14:40 LSB

Orderly - our worship is to be orderly. This does not mean it has to be stuffy or that it cannot be at-times spontaneous, but we are told in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that “God is not a God of confusion but of peace”. Thus, in our worship, scripture calls us to orderly, proper worship, that avoids chaos or confusion. 

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 LSB

Reverently - as we grow in our knowledge of God’s character and attributes, our reverence for Him should also grow through this knowledge. His holiness and perfection should cause us to show reverence rather than casualness toward Him.

“Worship Yahweh in the splendor of holiness; Tremble before Him, all the earth.” Psalm 96:9 LSB

Trembling - coming full circle back to the fear of the Lord, scripture tells us to tremble before Him, at the splendor of His holiness!

This Sunday, we will gather to sing, pray, and hear God’s Word. Pastor John White will be continuing through the book of Exodus, covering the 4th commandment (Exodus 20:8-11).

Lord willing, I will see you then.

In Christ,
Jon Collins, pastor

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Fear the Lord: Obey

Hello Village Bible Family,

Last week, I introduced the topic of fearing the Lord - reverently, in-awe, and with holy fear. Whatever your week looked like, I hope you were able to take time and prayerfully consider the question I asked: Do you rightly fear the Lord with reverence and awe?

This week, I want to draw upon more scripture to help us consider this topic.

Fear the Lord and Obey

If we are rightly fearing the Lord with reverence, awe, and holy fear, as scripture calls us to, then the result should be that we also desire to obey Him. Let us consider the words of Moses, to the Israelites, in Deuteronomy 10:

“So now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God ask from you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of Yahweh and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” Deuteronomy 10:12-13 LSB

Yahweh’s desire for His people is summed up in the words “to fear… to walk… to love… to serve… to keep”. Both then and now, this is God’s command for all those who are His. When we rightly fear the Lord, our desire to obediently keep His commands and serve Him will come from a deep reverence and growing love for Him. Obedience is not optional.

Perhaps you are reading this and thinking “Pastor, isn’t that kind of legalistic to say that we have to obey? I thought we were saved by grace, not works?” To that, I say we are indeed saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and not by works, yet I would also remind you of our Lord’s words:

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.’ John 14:23 LSB

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matthew 7:21 LSB

‘But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”’ Luke 11:28 LSB

Brothers and sisters, love and obedience go together!

This week, my question for you is this: Do you fear and obey the Lord? Does your reverence for Yahweh lead you “to fear… to walk… to love… to serve… to keep”? Dear friend, if you are not growing in your desire to obey the Lord, I worry that you may not fear Him properly yet.

The author of Ecclesiastes sums it up well:

“...fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the end of the matter for all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 LSB

This Sunday, in obedience to the call to not forsake our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:25), we will gather to sing, pray, and hear God’s Word. Pastor John White will be continuing through the book of Exodus, covering the 3rd commandment (Exodus 20:7).

Lord willing, I will see you then.

In Christ,
Jon Collins, pastor

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Fear the Lord: An Introduction

Hello friends and family of Village Bible Church,

As a shepherd among you, it is my hope and prayer that you are growing daily in your affection for and knowledge of our great God. If there is ever anything I can pray with you over or talk with you about, please know that I count it a privilege to serve this body of believers. Don’t hesitate to contact me. 

For the last few days, I’ve been awestruck, as I consider what it means to “fear” the Lord. Over the next few weeks, Lord willing, I will be discussing what it means to fear Him, according to scripture.

This week, simply an introduction.

Fear the Lord

As we consider what it means to fear Him, the first thing we must rightly understand is what fearing the Lord actually means. Nearly everyone has a fear of something - be it spiders, heights, or something else entirely. Yet in scripture, it says:

“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; Ignorant fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 LSB

Let us understand that when God’s Word says “fear” in Proverbs 1:7, it is not talking about a fear of being bitten by a spider or falling from a ladder. When scripture says the “The fear of Yahweh”, the Hebrew word is “yirah”, and it means a fearful reverence, an awe-filled respect, a holy fear. Thus, scripture is saying that the first step in being wise, is reverencing God as holy, and trusting and obeying Him according to His Word.

In the opening lines of the book of Proverbs, we are reminded that if we would have wisdom and knowledge, the foundational building block is a right understanding and reverential awe of Yahweh. Whereas fools despise God’s wisdom and discipline, the wise person acknowledges God as the creator, sustainer, Savior, and judge of all, and thus fears Him rightly for who He is.

This week, my question to you is simply this: Do you rightly fear the Lord with reverence and awe? Yes, He is merciful and gracious, but this should not diminish our awe-filled respect and holy fear of Him! In fact, His mercy and grace should cause us to all-the-more to tremble at His greatness. Dear Christian, if you would be wise, seek to understand what can be known of our great God (revealed to us in His Word), and rightly and reverently fear the Lord. 

This coming Sunday, we will gather together to sing, pray, and hear God’s Word proclaimed. Pastor John White will be continuing through the book of Exodus, specifically covering the 2nd commandment (Exodus 20:4-6).

Lord willing, I will see you then.

In Christ,
Jon Collins, pastor

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Grieving with Hope

Hello Village Family and Friends,

As I write, the sun is shining and it’s an unseasonably warm 55 degrees out. Yet even amidst this beautiful weather, we are reminded that we live in a broken world, wrecked by man’s sin. One needs to look no further than the news headlines or their social media, to see the broken state of mankind.

Even here, among our church family, among those who have been redeemed by Christ the Lord, we also feel the effect of the curse of sin. This week, as we grieve the passing of our beloved sister-in-Christ, Barb Walter, let us be reminded of God’s words to Adam, in Genesis 3:19:

”By the sweat of your face
you shall eat bread,
till you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken;
for you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.”

This world and each of us in it are not unscathed by sin’s curse. By the grace of God and the blood of the Lamb, our sister is now with the Lord, where there is no more pain or sin, and where she will spend eternity in the presence of the King. Yet while we mourn our loss, scripture reminds us:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

For the Christian, death is a reminder that this life is not the end; rather, it is the beginning of eternity with our Lord and Savior. Though this life is at-times filled with pain, loss, and trials, we do not mourn as those who have no hope. Our hope is in Christ alone!

This Sunday, we will gather because of this hope. We will sing, pray, and hear the Word of God taught and preached, because of the hope that we have in Christ. This week, Pastor John will continue in the book of Exodus, as we examine the first commandment (Exodus 20)

Lord willing, I will see you then.

In Christ,
Jon Collins, pastor

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Meeting God - A Prayer

There is a resource that I like to draw on from time to time in my devotional life. The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett (Banner of Truth, 1975) is a book of prayers from saints of centuries past. The Puritans, often misunderstood and as with anything, there are good and bad examples to be found among them. However, the Puritans were marked by their extreme piety—devotion to following and worshiping God—and community. They established and exercised many disciplines to maintain their walk with God, among them, the practice of writing and reciting prayers aloud—personally, with others, and in public worship gatherings. Arthur Bennet has drawn many of these existing writings and pulled them into The Valley of Vision. After last Sunday’s sermon about the people of Israel meeting God, I found a prayer by that name—Meeting God—and I wanted to share it here for your encouragement and reflection. I’m looking forward to worshiping with you this Sunday. Lord willing, I’ll see you then.

Grace & Peace,

John
You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

MEETING GOD

GREAT GOD,
In public and private, in sanctuary and home, may my life be steeped in prayer, filled with the spirit of grace and supplication, each prayer perfumed with the incense of atoning blood.

Help me, defend me, until from praying ground I pass to the realm of unceasing praise.

Urged by my need, invited by thy promises, called by thy Spirit, I enter thy presence, worshipping thee with godly fear, awed by thy majesty, greatness, glory, but encouraged by thy love.

I am all poverty as well as all guilt, having nothing of my own with which to repay thee,

But I bring Jesus to thee in the arms of faith, pleading his righteousness to offset my iniquities, rejoicing that he will weigh down the scales for me, and satisfy thy justice.

I bless thee that great sin draws out great grace, that, although the least sin deserves infinite punishment because done against an infinite God, yet there is mercy for me, for where guilt is most terrible, there thy mercy in Christ is most free and deep.

Bless me by revealing to me more of his saving merits, by causing thy goodness to pass before me, by speaking peace to my contrite heart;

Strengthen me to give thee no rest until Christ shall reign supreme within me, in every thought, word, and deed, in a faith that purifies the heart, overcomes the world, works by love, fastens me to thee, and ever clings to the cross.

Make Disciples

Make Disciples. If we were on the game show Family Feud, there is no doubt that the survey would show these two words among the top answers given for the purpose of the church. And it is a good answer. The church has been commanded by Christ to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

In the book, Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus (Dever, Crossway 2016) the author, Mark Dever says, “Discipleship is the term I use to describe our own following Christ. Discipling is the subset of that, which is helping someone else follow Christ.” I like this simple, working definition as I think it conveys the work we have to do. I must follow Christ. You must follow Christ. We must help each other follow Christ.

I have shared recently that I am excited about various ways I see discipleship and the discipling of Christians taking form early in 2024 here at Village Bible and I wanted to use this outlet to talk about some new opportunities that I hope you will take advantage of!

First, every Sunday when we gather, at 10am, and the word of God is opened, as we are encouraged to obey and follow Christ, discipleship is happening. In fact, I would contend that the greatest vehicle of discipleship that we can participate in is the corporate, local gathering of the church for the purpose of worshiping God. Prioritize this time every Sunday morning!

Starting Sunday, February 4th, a new adult class will be offered; Bringing Up Boys! This new Sunday School class, for parents, will seek to provide counsel and advice, specifically for those raising boys, from a firm foundation of biblical principles. Steve and Katie Heath will be leading the class. They have a heart to see parents raising and leading their kids to the Lord, and they have experience in doing so, with four adult children all living professed lives of faith in Jesus. Engage in a Sunday School class and grow with others!

Starting Tuesday, February 6 at 7pm, I will be leading a class of men through the book “Grounded in the Fatih” a study that aims to better train Christians in biblical and doctrinal knowledge in order to know the what and why of our faith. Deepen your understanding of God and his word!

Starting Wednesday, February 7, at 6:30pm, discipling efforts will take aim at our students! We are excited to begin midweek student ministry for all ages K-12! Kids K-5 will begin learning about The Bible being God’s Word through lessons from Creation to Abraham, Isaac, and sacrifice. Our teenage students, 6th-12th grade will begin studying the Gospel of Mark, Jesus’ acts of service, and how they to can serve God and how, when they’re service involves suffering, they can look to Jesus as their hope and help. This is an excellent place for you the Christian looking to serve and disciple someone to get involved. Our young people need to be pointed to Jesus and they need help following him and making decision to follow him. Get involved and serve! 

I’m out of room, so I’ll close with this question: What does discipleship and discipling look like in your life?

Grace & Peace,
John
You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Flee and Run, Together

As we come to our third and final goal for this new year—for all of Christian living—let’s review the first two:

Goal #1: Flee Youthful Passions. As God’s people we are to be running away from the sinful passions and desires are contrary to God and tempt us to disobey God or wander away from God.

Goal #2: Pursue Righteousness, Faith, Love, and Peace. As we flee the sinful desires of our flesh and this world, we are to pursue, or run after, godliness.

Now we come to our third goal, which has to parts, but first, our focus text, 2 Timothy 2:22, one more time:

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Goal #3: Flee and Run, Together. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. While it is an individual responsibility to flee sin and pursue godliness, we are supposed to do it “along with those” who are doing the same thing. And we should be careful to make sure that those we are with are actually doing the same thing.

How do we identify those who are doing that? Well, those who profess faith in Jesus that you go to church with is a great place to start. The people you in united together with in the setting of the local church, where you worship God, serve God, and proclaim God together, is the best place to find those pursuing godliness. Paul gives two marks of those we should pursue godliness with: those who 1) call on the Lord, 2) from a pure heart.

“Those who call on the Lord” simple means, those who pray. Prayer is a mark of a genuine Christian life; and those who are pursuing godliness will live a growing life of prayer to God. Only in calling on the Lord will we truly find godliness as we pursue it. Godliness doesn’t come from our own work. We need Christ’s help as we pursue it. And prayer (along with time in the word) is how we find Christ’s help.

“From a pure heart” means putting on no pretense of having it all together; no air of superiority. A pure heart pursuing godliness exhibits Christ to those around them, and also the humility to know they haven’t arrived yet. The pure in heart know they are imperfect, awaiting perfection when the Perfect One appears.

Are you pursuing godliness along with others who are pursuing godliness? Are you surrounding yourself with people who are calling on the Lord from a pure heart?

Prayer: Oh God of victory over sinful passions and desires; God of righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Draw us near and into unity with those who call on your name from a pure heart. Strengthen us in unity by the truth of your Word and the power of your Spirit, in worship of you and in fellowship together.

Grace & Peace,
John
 
You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Flee From and Run After

Last week, I began challenging us with some goals for the new year - goals for Christian living. It is true that God saves us according to his mercy, by his grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. It is also true that all of our salvation continues, is maintained, and will be eternally achieved through nothing other than faith alone in Jesus Christ.

However, within his saving work, God calls us to obedience and to good works. Last week we looked at 2 Timothy 2:22, and it says:

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Our first goal was to flee sinful passions and desires that are contrary to God, that keep us from obeying and glorifying God in this life. How did you do at this last week? Perhaps the Holy Spirit convinced you of more that needs to be fled as he sanctifies you to the image of Christ. What a good thing to have the impurity of the world pointed out by the purity of the Spirit that we may be more like Christ!

Goal #2: Pursue Righteousness, Faith, Love, and Peace

I won’t tackle each of these individually—but I would encourage you to do that in prayer and in the Word! For the purpose of this brief study, we will consider the word “pursue” and we will define the four things we are to pursue as godliness or holiness. Indeed righteousness, faith, love, and peace—and others!—is godliness.

The word pursue is where we find our responsibility within God’s saving work. It’s an action word meaning run to, go for, seek out, strive after. In the original language, what Paul writes to Timothy equated very nearly to “flee sinful desires; and flee to godliness.” The idea is that you have been set free from one in order to do the other. But we have to do it; we have to pursue them. God does give us these things in Christ, but he also tells us to pursue them. We’re not supposed to sit around and wait for our sanctification to happen.

Are you actively pursuing godliness? As you lay down sin, are you picking up holiness?

Prayer: Father, through Christ you have provided all that is necessary for life and godliness. Teach me to know righteousness, faithfulness, love and peace. Show me what it is to pursue godliness, holiness, a life that pleases you and lives in fellowship with you. Help me to die to the sinful passions of this world, and live to pursue you, my God and King. Amen.

Apparently there’s a big storm coming. Lord willing, I’ll see you Sunday morning as we gather to worship the Lord and pursue godliness and holiness together.

Grace & Peace,
John
 
You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Happy New Year!

The new year always brings resolutions and goals. It is a time when people talk about things they will tackle in the coming year. We also know that the talk of and the setting of goals often leads to them not being met.

Did you set any goals in 2023 that you failed to meet? Did you set any that you did meet?

In From the Elders, over the next few weeks, I want to challenge us all with a some goals for the coming year, indeed for all of life. These goals come to us from God’s Word and are found in Paul’s second letter to Timothy; 2 Timothy 2:22, specifically. It says:

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Goal #1: Flee Youthful Passions

Some may read that word youthful and think, “Oh, you’re not talking to me.” But I am. Paul, an older man of maybe 60, is writing to Timothy, a younger man of maybe 40 or even 50. We have in our mind that Timothy was a teenager or young adult, but history has him as slightly older than we think; however, he was younger than Paul. And Paul wrote this, perhaps middle aged, but younger man saying, “flee youthful passions.”

That word passions, in the Greek is the word epithymia (pronounced ep-ee-thoo-me-uh). and it carries with it the thought of lust or cravings or desire for things forbidden. To help us understand this better, we could easily say that Eve’s epithymia for the forbidden fruit was a passion that she needed to flee from.

We all know that no matter the age, there are passions and desires within us that are contrary to what God calls his people to. Passions and desires that tempt us to disobey God. Passions and desires that lead us into sin. We are called—no matter the age—to flee these desires.

What passions or desires do you need to flee?

Prayer: Oh Lord, God of all mercy and grace, forgive me of the passions and desires that I spend thought and energy on; that I give in to; that cause me to sin against you. Strengthen me, Lord, to flee these passions and desires as you have called me to in your word. Amen.

I’m looking forward to worshiping with you this Sunday! Lord willing, I’ll see you then!

Grace & Peace,
John

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Advent: The Second Coming of Christ

Hello Village Family and Friends,

Well, the close of the year is upon us. 2023 will so be nothing more than history. As I get older, more specifically as my kids get older, I am more mindful than ever how fast this world of time is moving. We can do nothing to slow it down; we certainly can’t stop it. The old saying, “Time marches on” proves truer with ever ticking second.

Interestingly, the constant ticking a swiftly moving clock is precisely what lulls many into spiritual sleep and slumber; into a life lived into ignorances and rejection of God in the world he created; into a life of rebellions against him by living without reference to him. Since the moment of Christ’s ascension the message has been, “He is returning!” But just as Christ said would happen, the longer he takes, the less mindful people are of his words, the further they drift from his truth, and the greater their horror will be on the day that it happens.

I am 42 years old. All of my life I have heard that Christ is coming soon. 42 years is a long time to wait for something and not see it come to fruition; let alone 2000 years. Yet, the more I read his word and watch the world around me, the more I am convinced of his return.

Christian, are you living in the urgent tension of Christ’s pending return? He said that he will come at a day and at an hour unknown. Like an unexpected thief in he night. Like labor pains upon a pregnant woman. This word from our Savior demands that we live every moment ready for his return. We must live fully present in this world, but we must be ready at every moment for our Savior to return and take us home to glroy with him forever.

I’m excited to worship with you this Sunday and consider great truths regarding Chris’s second coming. Lord willing, I’ll see you then (unless the Lord, in fact, returns first).

Grace & Peace,
John

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Advent: The Person and Work of Christ's First Coming

Hello Village Family and Friend,

I pray that you are well and enjoying the Lord, despite the many struggles that this life often presents.

This Sunday is Christmas Eve! We will gather at 10am and worship the Lord in song, pray, hear his word, and encourage one another in this life together with great news of good joy which is for all people!

I pray that you are not only planing to join in worship, but I hope you have been inviting family and friends to hear the good news of Christ’s birth; moreover, the wonderful, excellent news of what the birth accomplished! The song “Because He Lives” tells of this accomplishment in it’s first verse:

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

This Sunday, as we gather, it will be the person and work of Jesus Christ that we declare! The person and work of Jesus Christ culminates in the cross and the empty tomb; but everything between his birth and death is also of great importance!

By way of reminder, there is no Sunday School this week, the 24th, or next, the 31st. Simply our 10am regular worship gathering. Also, starting this Sunday, checks can be accepted made payable to Village Bible Church.

I am excited to gather and worship with you and reflect on the gospel as we proclaim the gospel! Lord willing, I’ll see you Sunday!

Grace & Peace,
John

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Advent: Christ's Birth

Hello Village Friends and Family,

I hope your week has gone well. I hope you are making plans to join together to worship the Lord this Sunday! I am looking forward to joining together in song, in prayer, and in learning from the Word together!

As a church, we do not have a grand plan for Christmas Eve.

Yes, we are going to gather on Christmas Eve. Yes we are going to sing songs and read Scripture and hear preaching that proclaims the birth of the Savior, “who is Christ the Lord.”

You may be thinking, as you read that, “Pastor, this sounds like every other Sunday.” To which I would say, “Exactly!” And right there is the grand, no, right there is divine plan; which makes it grand!

When we gather on Christmas Eve we will do precisely what God has desired and commanded for his people to do; from Mt. Sinai, to today, and until he returns. New City Catechism Question 10 asks: “What does God require in the fourth…commandment?” The answer, “Fourth, that on the Sabbath day we spend time in public and private worship of God, rest from routine employment, serve the Lord and others, and so anticipate the eternal Sabbath.” This is a grand plan!

I wonder; has the commercialism of Christmas in our culture caused us to think that the regular, visible, utterly beautiful means of grace, known as the gathering God’s people, has to get all dressed up at Christmas and Easter? We gather and proclaim the same message Sunday after Sunday. Why not put forth the same effort every single week?

Let us see the grand, divine plan and always desire for anyone and everyone to come and hear and be reminded of the Good News announced by the angels to the shepherds so long ago; “Unto you is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord!”

I can’t wait to worship with you this Sunday! Lord willing, I’ll see you then!

Grace & Peace,
John

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Advent: Prophecies of Christ's First Coming

Kind reader,

I pray that you are well and enjoying this unseasonably nice weather. I also hope to see you this Sunday as we worship the Lord in song, in prayer, in preaching, in reading and in our fellowship together. Each Sunday, God’s people spend specific time in worship of God. This time is sacred, and it is important. I pray that you are prioritizing gathering together with the people of God. This time lifts our eyes off of the sorrows and trials of our life and places them on an eternal hope given to us by a good and gracious Father, King, and Savior.

This Sunday, Mark and Franciska Richardson will be sharing, during the Sunday School hour, about where they are in the process of getting to Belize for gospel missionary work there. If you are unfamiliar with their story and are curious of what’s been going on with them, this will be an excellent opportunity to get the latest news! (Sunday School starts at 9am, and we do have Sunday School for all ages).

During our worship gathering, the preaching of God’s Word will look at the prophecies of Christ’s first coming and the impact those prophecies, already fulfilled at Christ’s birth, have on our lives today.

Sunday evening, Village Kids will put on their Christmas program, proclaiming the birth and Good News of Jesus in song! Come enjoy the evening with the kids and a time of fellowship afterwards.

We are still in the process of finalizing the budget. We had hoped to have this in your hands for review by this time, but the fine work of finalizing a new budget with so many new categories requires diligence than expedience. We do appreciate your patience in this area. We still hope to have this finalized and in your hands before the end of the year, with a likely vote just after he first of the year.

Church, I hope to see you this Sunday! I’m excited to sing God’s praise and worship the Almighty with you! Lord wiling, I’ll see you then!

Grace & Peace,
John

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Advent: A Series On The First Coming of Christ

Hello kind reader, whether Village Bible family or friend!

I pray this finds you well, resting and trusting and growing in the grace and strength of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This Sunday, we will begin a new preaching series for the month of December; “Advent: A Series On The First Coming Of Christ.” The term Advent may be a new one to you, perhaps not, but if you are in the camp of not knowing what Advent is, keep reading.

If you do an internet search for the term Advent, you will find out that the world views it as nothing more than a fun countdown to Christmas. However, in the Christian Church Advent is a reflection on the event of Christ’s birth, over the weeks leading up to Christmas. Christians are not alone in observing Advent, the Catholic Church also observes advent. However, beyond Christianity and Catholicism, no other religion spends time on it. Of note, Christians and Catholics diverge quickly on our understanding and beliefs regarding the birth of Christ.

In this series, we will focus on various aspects of Christ’s first coming; the need for Messiah’s coming, the prophecy of his coming, and his actual coming. However, a responsible teaching on Christ’s first advent is incomplete if it stops at his birth. The phrase, “the first advent of Christ” communicates something. If we just said, “The advent of Christ,” well ok then, but “first advent” communicates that there will be a second advent. And this is absolutely true, we call it the Second Coming of Christ. But between the first and second advent of Christ, a major event took place and that is the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; commonly called The Gospel, or Good News, of Jesus. And so in our Advent series we will consider the need, the prophecy, the birth, the Gospel, and the return of Jesus Christ.

It is our prayer that this series will equip us as God’s people to talk about Christ in a better way through this Christmas season and in every season. That we may worship Christ the once newborn, then dead, now alive, and soon returning King, in a greater way, bringing greater glory to the name of our God!

I also want to encourage your involvement and prayer for our participation in Byron’s Christmas In The Village event this Saturday night! Pray for all of those who we will be able to share the Good News of Christ with, through the presentation of a life nativity. Pray for relationships to begin and be furthered in our town to the glory of God!

I’m excited to worship with you all those who gather this Sunday as we begin this journey! Lord willing I’ll see you then!

Grace & Peace,
John

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267

Family Matters - The Children

Village Family and Friends,

I hope you are well, and that in whatever way you chose to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, your time was meaningful.

This Sunday we will close out this short series, Family Matters, by looking at the role of children. If you have never noticed, children are extremely important throughout the Bible; they are precious to the Lord and they are given to a husband and a wife as a great blessing and with great responsibility.

As the enemy of God and of God’s people, Satan, wages war on the biblical view of the family, we should understand that these precious, young blessings are also in view as a target. Join us as we consider, more than the children themselves, the great responsibility that we as parents, as adults, as a church have in the lives of our young people, our children.

I hope you are making plan to be involved in Christmas In The Village! What a wonderful opportunity to meet people in our community and share the truth and love of Christ with them! I’m looking forward to being with you this Sunday! To sing, pray, to hear Scripture , and to be together as a family. Lord willing, I’ll see you then!

Grace & Peace,
John

You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
 Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
 John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267