MVBC Newsletter 2018-6 September 11, 2018

Soul Training Pastor Matthew WatsonTis the season for training.  At our church, there’s a group of people training for a Tough Mudder.  At the high school, there’s a weight room and track full of people training for fall competition.  On our city streets there are all ages of walkers, joggers, and even all out runners.  We’ve got cross fitters and beach bodier-s. We nutritionalize to the tune of big bucks—from weight watchers to keto types and more. Some use supplements, others don’t. Observing, and sometimes participating in, training reminds me of a well-established biblical metaphor.  Training was known to the 1st century church. The Apostles argued from the lesser to the greater. They said physical training (lesser) was of some value while spiritual training (greater) was of lasting value. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 instructs, “train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”  Think with me about soul training in concept then in practice.   First, in concept. The concept of soul training intimates we should expect to put forth effort in the Christian life.  Development of the soul doesn’t happen accidentally any more than running miles happen accidentally. Success is measured one small incremental step at a time. Regarding spiritual things, sure, a person is saved by faith alone through grace alone in Christ alone.  But then the work begins.  As the Reformers said, you are saved by faith alone but faith does not stay alone. Sincere faith will soon be followed by joyous works, sincere effort. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). And we are exhorted to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). The Apostle Paul tells us to run our race set before us with perseverance (1 Corinthians 9:24), as to win a crown. And he holds himself to his own standard as he strives to finish the race of life (2 Timothy 4:7).  Training seems to be a biblical and helpful metaphor for the Christian life. So you will need to put forth effort in your spiritual life in order to find joy in it. Effort and grace are not mutually exclusive. Second, in practice.  The practice of soul training involves tools and trainers.  Just as a runner needs shoes so the believer needs a Bible. Having shoes isn’t enough, you will need to put them on and log mileage in them. Having a Bible isn’t enough, you’ll need to open it up and log time in it. You will need to spend time in the Word and in prayer. Prayer will help you to plan your work and work your plan of soul

training.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT MVBC?

Fall Study Series

When? Wednesday Nights 6:30 - 8 pm

Who and What? All ages!

We will be studying Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.

Ladies, Men, Youth and children will all meet for an opening session, then break out into discussion groups.

Where? Meet in the Sanctuary at 6:30 and break into discussion groups at 7 pm.

Membership Matters Course Start Dates

October 7

Save the Date

Sept 16- Members Meeting Sept 23 - MSR Prayer 6 pm Nov 11- Members Meeting

MVBC Newsletter 2018-6 September 11, 2018

Parallel these private practices with the power of the group—in spiritual terms, Jesus’ church. Training occurs best with a multitude of trainers. You run more often and train harder when other people are involved with you—in it with you. Even the most self-disciplined person will benefit from peer training or a master trainer.  Jesus’ church is where people are to regularly gather for the purpose of soul training.  Church members covenant together to provide and receive resources for spiritual training.  But this takes effort by you the member! In addition to locating a healthy church, and seeking to become a member of it, you must make yourself regularly available one to another. This is how you find joy in soul training. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us not to neglect gathering together.  Every Sunday group training session helps motivate your smaller group training session each weekday.—and vice versa.  The ordinary means of grace the church experiences together (e.g., The Lord’s Supper, baptism, expositional preaching of the Word, covenant discipline) are irreplaceable, non-duplicable.  Jesus set up this glorious grind, a sanctified effort, to be accomplished, in part, with the help of others. You are not alone. In practice, good training requires tools and trainers.  Locate them. One accomplished author quipped: I don’t even like writing so much as having written. The same can be said for physical training: I don’t even like running so much as having ran. Maybe at some point you’ll like running. But at this point, metaphors break down. Assuredly, the believer reaches a point where they like soul training. It may not be so much the training as it is having trained, the results. We know we’re pressing on to a place where we will have arrived, eternally in Christ. I can tell you from personal experience, newfound training makes life worse before better.  As you acclimate to new disciplines, you’ll realize where your current fitness level really is. Humbling!  But soul training is worth the effort. In the end, it’s pure joy.

This article can be found independently at www.mvbaptist.church/resources/articles.

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MVBC Financial Snapshot 2018 Weekly Offering Goal: $3918

Tax deductible gifts may be made at mvbaptist.church/give, by mail, or at Sunday worship service.

Shawn Goodwin preaches from the book of Joshua at the Charles Ford Home in New Harmony.

Many from our church have been training for a Tough Mudder event on Sept 15th. Lots of training going on!

MVBC wouldn’t be able to function without all the great work of volunteers. Here Emily Goodwin, Marcia Neuman, and Betty Stevens help out in the church office.

We love babies!!! Welcome to little Hannah Doughty born July 9th to Russell and Nicole Doughty. If you’d like to serve sweet Hannah and her friends consider serving in our Nursery Ministry on Sunday mornings!

September 23rd @ 6 pm Mt. Vernon Baptist Church will host Calvary Baptist, First Baptist, and Agape Family Ministries for a night of prayer and worship. Brother Matt Damico from Louisville, KY will again join us to

lead worship!