“What may I do to inherit eternal life?” Joe Baldwin walks through Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler. He encourages the students to attach themselves to godly people, and to repent of sin and give Jesus their whole lives in obedience.

Scripture Text

Mark 10:17-28

Main Points or Ideas

• The Question of Eternal Life - The rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Though he was religious, kept the commandments, and considered himself good, Jesus identified that one thing was lacking in his life.

• Understanding True Goodness - Jesus corrected the young man's understanding by stating that no one is good but God alone. The world's definition of "good" is vastly different from God's definition. Many people are considered "good" by worldly standards, but the question is whether they are godly.
• Jesus Loved Him Despite His Self-Righteousness - Even though the young man was self-righteous and thought he was good enough, the Bible says Jesus looked at him and loved him. Jesus loves every person, but many lack what is truly necessary for salvation.
• The One Thing Lacking Was Jesus - Jesus told the young man to sell his possessions, give to the poor, take up the cross, and follow Him. The issue wasn't really about his riches—it was about whether Jesus was Lord of his life. Something stood between him and salvation, and he went away sorrowful because his possessions meant more to him than his soul.
• Salvation Requires Surrender - Baldwin shares his own testimony of hitting bottom at age 26 and realizing something was missing in his life. When he finally understood the gospel, he learned that salvation isn't just about saying a prayer—it's about giving your life to Jesus and making Him Lord. Salvation requires recognizing you're lost, repenting of sin, and surrendering your life to Christ.
• With God All Things Are Possible - When the disciples asked who could be saved if it's so hard for the rich, Jesus responded that with men it's impossible, but with God all things are possible. Anyone can be saved—rich or poor—because God can do the impossible.

Conclusion

Salvation isn't just about being a good person or saying a prayer—it's about surrendering everything to Him.

Michael Blackstone encourages the students to have resilient faith. He explains that they will be bent, twisted, and pulled in their faith. He charges them to know seven ways God works on and through faith in difficult circumstances.

Scripture Text

Matthew 14:22-33

Main Points or Ideas

• Know the Purpose of God - Jesus constrained (compelled) His disciples to get into the boat, and He knew exactly what storm He was sending them into. They were exactly where they were supposed to be. God has a purpose for every trial and fear that comes into our lives—it is not misguided but targeted for an exact time and place.
• Know That God Allows Problems - The wind was contrary (literally "opposite" or "against"), and the disciples were rowing but not making progress. Storms will come even when we are walking in obedience, and God allows these challenges for the trying of our faith. Our progress is not measured by apparent advance but by the hearty intent with which we persevere.
• Know the Presence of God - In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them walking on the sea and said, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." His presence makes all the difference. Whatever the situation, He is there.
• Know That God Wants You to Proceed - Peter asked, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come," and Jesus said, "Come." Peter was not a failure in this story—he got out of the boat when eleven others stayed in, he actually walked on water, and when he sank, he cried out to the only one who could help him. Peter asked God first, showing the discernment needed when facing fear.
• Know the Protection of God - When Peter began to sink and cried out, "Lord, save me," immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him. The word "caught" means to seize or take hold of—like an unbreakable grip pulling someone from a cliff. God is there to catch and protect us immediately when we call on Him.
• Know the Power of God - When Jesus and Peter got back into the boat, the wind ceased (literally "tired" or "relaxed"). The sea was no match for the Son of God. We serve the same powerful God who is still able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think.
• Know the Person - When they got into the ship, those in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." If we know Him, we have no reason to fear—we only have reason to worship.

Conclusion

Fear is the enemy of resilient faith. The five words to remember are: Get out of the boat. Surrender, not safety, is the end of our calling as believers. God wants us to step out in faith and trust Him in the midst of the storms.

Phil Peterson taught that learning to trust God is key to missions. He gave the example of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 16, how he trusted God at the beginning of his reign.

Scripture Texts

2 Chronicles 16; Psalm 81:6-10

Main Points or Ideas

• Trust God, Not Man - King Asa started his reign well, trusting God when outnumbered two-to-one by the Ethiopians, and God delivered him. However, twenty-six years later when threatened by Israel, Asa trusted King Ben-hadad of Aram instead of God. The prophet Hanani rebuked him, reminding him that "the eyes of Yahweh move to and fro throughout the earth, that he may strongly support those whose heart is wholly devoted to him." Even when rebuked and later diseased, Asa continued trusting in man rather than God.
• Trust God When You Are Needy - God tested Israel at the waters of Meribah when they were thirsty in the wilderness. Instead of trusting God, they grumbled and complained, asking "Is Yahweh among us or not?" God patiently provided water, but Israel failed the test by complaining instead of trusting.
• Trust God When You Don't Understand - Proverbs teaches that while man makes plans, it is ultimately God who directs his steps. We are responsible to make plans according to God's commands, but we must allow God to redirect us since we cannot fully understand His ways.
• Biblical Examples of Trust - The disciples trusted Jesus enough to leave everything and follow Him, even after witnessing His crucifixion. They obeyed the Great Commission and went to nations across the known world. Throughout Acts, we see examples of trust:
• Trust and Love Are Inseparable - We cannot truly love God without trusting Him, and we cannot worship what we do not trust. God deserves our unconditional, loyal trust because of the immense love He demonstrated by sending Jesus Christ to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

ConclusionGod is looking to strongly support those whose hearts are wholly devoted to Him—those who trust Him completely. We need to trust God when we are needy, when we do not understand certain situations, and when everything does not go as planned. He also shows how Jesus invites us to trust Him. Jesus has the power to hold us and make a way for us, and He wants us to go and make disciples.

Dr. Jim Tillotson examines God's grace through Titus 2:11-14, explaining both the saving grace that brings salvation to all people and the sanctifying grace that teaches believers to live differently after salvation.

Scripture Texts

Titus 2:11-14; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Main Points or Ideas

• Saving Grace - The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, meaning there is universal opportunity for salvation though not universal salvation. God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. People are not condemned to hell because God has not chosen them, but because they have not chosen Him. The reason anyone is saved is completely 100% God's grace, which they don't deserve and didn't earn.
• Sanctifying Grace - God's grace not only saves but also teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. When someone gets saved, old things should pass away and all things should become new. Sanctifying grace is that grace in the heart that makes believers want to live differently after salvation.
• Putting Off Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts - The Bible provides specific lists of what ungodliness looks like, including sexual sin, idolatry, hatred, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, envy, pride, blasphemy, unthankfulness, unforgiveness, slander, and lack of self-control. These are things believers must say no to as God's sanctifying grace works in their lives.
• Putting On Sober, Righteous, and Godly Living - Believers are to live soberly (sensibly, with discretion and self-control), righteously (by a divine standard of what is right, not subjective values), and godly (with an appropriate attitude toward God and the things of God, reflecting God-likeness in perspective and spirit). The fruit of the Spirit demonstrates what this righteous living looks like.

ConclusionGod’s grace is displayed through salvation. Saving grace is capable of saving all men and is a blessed hope. The reason anyone goes to hell is unbelief, and sin does not have the power to take away our salvation. God’s grace also is displayed through sanctification. Sanctifying grace allows believers to live the heart of Christ differently than in ungodliness and with denying worldly lusts.

Dr. Doug McLaughlan talks about how the self-substitution of Christ is his expression of love to the Father.

Scripture Text

Mark 12:28-31

Main Points or Ideas

• The Self-Substitution of God - God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, became the substitute for sinners as the ground of our redemption. This was an act of indispensable necessity and unspeakable cost, whereby God could express simultaneously His holiness and judgment alongside His love and pardon by providing a divine substitute who would receive the judgment so sinners could receive pardon.
• The Kenosis: Christ's Self-Emptying - Christ emptied Himself not of His deity but of all its privileges, powers, and prerogatives, demonstrated in three dramatic steps:
• Full Obedience to the Father's Will - Throughout His entire incarnation, Christ did nothing on His own authority. Both the works and words of Christ were the Father's and not His own. He repeatedly declared that He came not to do His own will but the will of Him who sent Him.
• Full Dependence on the Spirit's Power - From conception to crucifixion, the Holy Spirit was with Christ, enabling Him to carry out His ministry. Christ was conceived by the Spirit, baptized in the Spirit's presence, led by the Spirit into temptation, anointed with the Spirit for ministry, and through the eternal Spirit offered Himself on the cross.
• The Existential Emotional Crisis in Gethsemane - Christ experienced loathing, horror, terror, and agony as He faced the bitter cup of bearing the sins of the world and enduring divine judgment and alienation from the Father. Yet His will to obey the Father remained steadfast, praying "not as I will, but as You will."
• The Undefeatable Compulsion - What compelled Christ to endure this suffering was His great commandment love for the Father. As He said in John 14:30-31, "I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father." This love was the underlying, powerful motivation for His full obedience.

Conclusion

The self-sacrificing love of Christ is an indispensable necessity, an unspeakable cost, an undefeatable compulsion, and an unthinkable prospect. It is revealed through Jesus’ humiliation, incarnation, and crucifixion. This love is displayed through His full obedience and dependence to the Holy Spirit. We are called to love God like Christ did. This is the great first commandment.

Rand Hummel led the students through how not to pray, as demonstrated in Matthew 6:5-7, and how to then pray like Jesus taught in verses 9-13. He challenged them to be intentional with God’s name and to talk with Him freely. Hummel encouraged the students to remember God’s provision, to forgive others as God has, and to rely on God’s protection and deliverance from temptation and evil.

Scripture Text

Matthew 6:5-13

Main Points or Ideas

• Pray to Your Heavenly Father - Every time Paul and Jesus prayed, they prayed to their Heavenly Father. Prayer is not talking to people about God, but talking to God Himself. Students should find a place where they can remove all distractions, shut the door, and pray to their Father who sees in secret and will reward them openly.
• Avoid Vain Repetitions - Many believers use empty religious phrases without thinking, like robotically saying "thank you for this day" or overusing "Lord" as punctuation. We become so repetitive that others can lip sync our prayers. Instead, take a breath, slow down, and remember who you're talking to. Use God's name thoughtfully rather than taking it in vain by using it in an empty way.
• Follow Jesus' Prayer Pattern - Jesus gave His disciples a prayer list with six major points that cover everything believers need: address God properly as our wonderful, loving Heavenly Father; hallow His name (recognize how wonderful His characteristics are); pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done; ask for daily provision; seek forgiveness and commit to forgiving others; ask God to keep us from temptation and sin; and acknowledge His power and glory.
• Forgiveness is Essential - If there is anyone you refuse to forgive, God will not answer your prayers. Forgiveness is not forgetting (God is omniscient and cannot forget), but it is a promise to remember sins no more. We must ask God to replace anger and bitterness with pity—disappointment wrapped in love—for those who have hurt us.

Conclusion

A simple prayer pattern people can use and teach others is: "My loving Heavenly Father, please keep me in your will. Help me to depend on you today. Forgive me and help me to forgive others. Please keep me from sin. Thank you for being such a wonderful, powerful God. Amen."

Rand Hummel encouraged the students to grow as children through reading God’s Word. He explained four aspects pertaining to reading: Read, Examine, Apply, Do. Hummel gave examples of how to read God’s Word well and tied it back to Ephesians 4:14-15, and encouraged the students that reading produces growing in Christ in all aspects of who He is.

Scripture Text

Ephesians 4:14-15

Main Points or Ideas

• Read - God gave us His Word in written form so we can read it. People around the world risk arrest, beatings, and even death to get Bibles, yet many believers have multiple copies and still don't read. Students should read New Testament letters, gospels, study Bible topics relevant to struggles they face, read about Bible characters, or read chronologically through the year.
• Examine - Don't just read to read. Understand who wrote it, when and where they were, and why they wrote it. Read distinctly, give the sense, and understand what you're reading so you can share it with others. God breathed out His Word and it is profitable for doctrine (teaching what is right), reproof (teaching what is wrong), correction (how to make the wrong right), and instruction (how to keep it right).
• Apply - Put God's Word into practice. Don't just be hearers of the Word, but be doers. When God convicts your heart in chapel or devotions, do something about it. Don't waste your time at school by coming to services and then doing nothing with what you learn.
• Do (Memorize and Meditate) - Hide God's Word in your heart through Scripture memory and meditation. Meditation means slowing down to think deeply about Scripture, like rumination. If memorization is difficult, read the same passage five times a day for thirty days until you know it. Take time to master passages by reading them repeatedly in different translations.

Conclusion

Reading, examining, applying, and memorizing God's Word is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. As the children's song says, if you read your Bible and pray every day, you'll grow; if you forget your Bible and forget to pray, you'll shrink spiritually.

Dan Werts challenges seminary students to grow in their ability to discern truth from error through abiding in Christ and being anointed with the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that Christians face the ongoing threat of antichrists (false teachers) within the church and must be prepared to recognize and respond to deceptive teaching.

Scripture Text

1 John 2:18-27

Main Points or Ideas

• Discernment is a Must-Have in the Last Hour - The church is in the final stage of God's dealing with the world, set by Jesus' death and resurrection. Many antichrists have come and continue to arise, not just the future capital-A Antichrist. These false teachers deny Jesus' deity, deny their own sinfulness, don't keep God's commands, and may leave the church, proving they were never truly part of the fellowship. The church often gets distracted by conspiracy theories and end-times speculation instead of focusing on current false teaching within their midst.

• We Have Been Given What We Need for Discernment - Believers have received an anointing from the Holy One (the Holy Spirit) who seals them, leads them into all truth, and helps them persevere in the faith. The Spirit enables Christians to understand spiritual truths and recognize lies. Not every antichrist is obviously heretical like Muslims or Jehovah's Witnesses; some teach doctrines that sound biblical on the surface or influence others through their actions rather than their words.

• Discernment Comes from Abiding in the Gospel Daily - Christians must let the truth they heard from the beginning remain at home in them. This requires intentional growth in God's Word, not just believing the gospel at one point and then developing theology based on opinions, other books, or Christian music. Believers must be transformed by the renewing of their minds through Scripture to test and discern God's will. While the Holy Spirit teaches believers and they have no ultimate need for human teachers, God still uses teachers for discipleship and growth.

Conclusion

Students must take advantage of their training time to prepare themselves to answer false teaching and disciple others, using Scripture to graciously speak truth and either root out antichrists or teach them the gospel, bringing them into true fellowship with the apostles' teaching and with the Father and Son.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and fearful?

Pastor Shon Lundberg reads through David’s lowest point in fear where he was overwhelmed by Saul’s threats, by his own fear, and when his faith eluded him. Pastor Shon explained where God provided, fear led astray, and God taught David to trust Him, and exhorted the students to trust God when fear rises.

Scripture Text

1 Samuel 21:1-22:1

Main Points or Ideas

1. When life overwhelms you, God provides what you need
   • David fled to Nob where the priest Ahimelech gave him the bread of the presence (normally reserved for priests) and Goliath's sword. God does not promise luxury but promises enough to sustain even when you feel overwhelmed.
2. When fear overcomes you, it will always lead you astray
   • Fear drove David into enemy territory at Gath, the hometown of Goliath. In his panic, David feigned madness by scratching at doors and letting spit run down his beard to escape. Fear overrides reason, narrows vision, and drowns faith, causing believers to do things they never thought they would do.
3. When faith eludes you, God teaches you to trust him again
   • Though David's circumstances didn't immediately change (he was still on the run for ten years), his heart changed. Psalms 34 and 56 show David's transformation from fear to faith. These psalms reveal David's confession that fear had ruled his life, but now he was choosing to trust God. His low point became his turning point, and out of fear came faith and worship.

ConclusionGod allows difficult circumstances to test and refine our faith, shaping us into the people He needs us to be, and when we succumb to fear, God faithfully teaches us to trust Him more fully, turning our low points into turning points.

Because it is Spirit Week, Dr. Senn talked about some things from Scripture that should encourage us and keep us in good spirits.

He covered the distinction between soul and Spirit, and how when a believer physically dies, their spirit goes to heaven.

He also describes what heaven is like with Revelation 21-22.

Seth Grotzke shares about his ministry in Spain, including church planting in Galicia and engaging with pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. He uses Psalm 131 to address the universal human search for hope and meaning, drawing parallels between ancient pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem and modern pilgrims seeking spiritual answers on the Camino.

Scripture Text

Psalm 131

Main Points or Ideas

• Recognize Our Finiteness - David acknowledges his limitations by confessing that his heart is not lifted up in pride, his eyes are not raised in arrogance, and he does not occupy himself with things too great for him. Despite David's experiences with pride, arrogance, and ignorance throughout his life, this psalm represents a place he has come to where he recognizes his human limitations before God.
• Rest in Our Lord - David compares himself to a weaned child with its mother, illustrating a relationship with God that goes beyond merely seeking provision to simply desiring God's presence. A weaned child (around three years old) comes to the mother not out of demanding need but out of contentment and desire for closeness. This demonstrates the strength it takes to acknowledge dependence and find rest in God, especially for leaders and warriors like David who might be tempted to self-sufficiency.
• Hope in the Lord - The psalm concludes with the call for Israel to hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. This hope is connected to Psalm 130's themes of forgiveness, redemption, and God's steadfast love. As believers living post-cross, we can read this psalm recognizing that Christ has made this hope fully possible, and we are called to live as pilgrims whose citizenship is in heaven.

Conclusion

God uses solitary places and seasons of obscurity to train believers not to become great spokesmen but to become like little children again before Him, resting in His presence and boasting only in Christ rather than in ministry accomplishments or positions.

We should live counterculturally with our focus on Christ.

Scripture Text

Philippians 3:15-21

Main Points or Ideas

1. We are to imitate mature believers (v. 15-17)

2. Beware of those that draw away from Jesus (v. 18-19)

3. Our Citizenship is in Heaven, not Earth (v. 20-21)

Conclusion

We are able to agree in the Lord when we boast in the Lord.

Audiaphora, a word that denotes the things that do not really matter, is used to describe the issue of Christian liberty. Dr. Doug Brown explains what Christian liberty is and how Christians should use it.

Scripture Text

Romans 14:1-3

Main Points or Ideas

Four Principles

1. Welcome one another (14:1-3; 15:7)

• Jews in a predominantly Gentile church
• Five common gray areas: worship style, Bible versions, school choices, modesty, and alcohol
• If Christ has accepted your fellow Christian, so should you.

2. Stop judging others (14:4-9)

• Judging others develops discord
• We all have the same master - Jesus

3. Choose love over liberty (14:13-22)

• The freedom to be flexible for the sake of the gospel
• The lack of love and consideration for one another leads to quarrels and disputes

4. Follow Christ’s example (15:1-6)

• Jesus is the ultimate example
• Jesus served us for our good and His Father’s glory

Conclusion

Does using your Christian liberty bring glory to God?

Dr. Tillotson charges the students to live as a godly example in churches and workplaces.

Scripture Texts

Titus 2:9-10

Main Points or Ideas

1. Submissive (9a)

2. Well-pleasing (9b)

3. Not argumentative (9c)

4. Not pilfering (10a)

5. Showing all good faith (10b)

Conclusion

God always answers prayer, and sometimes it is no.

Scripture Text

Romans 12:12

Main Points or Ideas

Common responses to God’s no:

1. Internal

• Bad: Unbelief, Anger, and Hurt/Offense
• Good: Humble trust

2. External

• Bad - stop praying
• Good - keep praying

Three People, Three Lessons on Faithful Prayer:

Conclusion

Just keep praying! Sin is no excuse to stop praying.

Recently retired missionary Ron Self shares how he and his wife sought God’s will when they first landed in Argentina. He then talks about how others can do the same.

Scripture Text

Mark 10:32-34

Main Points or Ideas

3 Observations of Reasons Why We Need to Follow God’s Will:

1. Follow God’s will when you know it will require sacrifice

2. Follow God’s will even when you are perplexed and afraid

3. Follow God’s will when you don’t want to miss the blessings of God

Conclusion

It is worth it to follow God’s will.

Wade Whiteley talks about the importance of building on a strong financial foundation.

Scripture Text

Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Main Points or Ideas

1. Foundation of Selfishness (v. 18-19)

• Have you surrendered it all back to God?

2. Foundation of Control (v. 20-23)

• Your life is not your own.
3. Foundation of Pleasing God (v. 24-26)
• God gives to whomever He chooses.

Conclusion

What financial foundation are you building on?

Students from the Argentina, Micronesia, Dominican Republic, and Chile teams shared how they were able to serve on their trips last summer.

Brian Trainer talks about how morally filthy we all are and how Scripture exposes our filth.

Scripture Text

James 1:21-25

Main Points or Ideas

1. We Face Four Problems When We Look at The Word:

• We are morally repugnant (1:21)
• We are naturally forgetful (1:24-25)
• We are willfully proud (1:23)
• We are blindly self-deceived (1:22)

2. We Have Four Choices When We Look at The Word:

• We must personally own the ugliness (1:21)
• We must humbly receive it (1:21)
• We must immediately take action (1:22, 25)
• We must embrace the purity and the power of the word (1:21, 25)

Conclusion

Don’t waste the Word.

God has entrusted each of us with a unique purpose and role.

Scripture Text

John 21:15-28

Main Points or Ideas

The Setting of John 21

1. The Prediction of Jesus (21:18-19)
• John wrote of this 10 years after Peter’s death
• Peter was crucified upside down. It glorified God
• Given after Jesus’ restoration of Peter just two weeks after His own crucifixion
2. The Comparison by Peter (21:20-22)
• Comparison does not equal wisdom
• Jesus told Peter to stop worrying about John and to just follow Him
3. The Explanation from John (21:23)

Take Home Truths

1. Have you thanked God for designing you uniquely?
2. Will you be willing to go out of the way?
3. Are you willing to say yes?

Conclusion

Are you going to say yes, no matter what God has for you to do?