Brook Hills College – Blog

  1. Secret Church – Simulcast

    October 27, 2011 by Britten Taylor

    Shhhh…tell all of your college peeps!

    Category: College Life Comments (0)

  2. What’s Your Response to Kisses from Katie?

    October 20, 2011 by Ashley Chesnut

    Video Promo of Kisses from Katie

    “You are to love the Lord with all your heart, and you’re to love your neighbor as yourself. And my self does’t want to be starving, so I don’t want other people in the world to be starving,” states Katie Davis, a 22 year-old Tennessee native who now lives in Uganda where she has adopted 13 daughters and founded Amazima Ministries.

    After hearing Katie Davis share at our worship gatherings this past Sunday, comments after the service ranged from “I need to drop everything here and move to Uganda” to “I could never do something as radical as that.”

    Caring for the poor is not an option but a requirement according to Scripture. But how this is done looks different for each person. For Katie, it involved foregoing college in order to move to Uganda, to adopt children, and to start a child sponsorship program, a feeding program, and vocational projects for Masese women. Her call from God required her to be radical there.

    Is this God’s call for you?

    Maybe. But His call might be for you to be radical here.

    So how do you know?

    First of all, calling is not based on subjective feelings. My heart was burdened by the great need that Katie shared about, but feelings of compassion alone are not a reason to move to another continent. Feelings change, and God’s call on your life is not based on how you feel today.

    Are you consistently studying the Word and praying? Most of what God desires for you to do with your life is already explicit in Scripture. Are you being obedient right here, right now? If you’re not living missionally here, then what makes you think that you would live missionally somewhere else? How are you being radical where God has you right now? How are you caring for the poor, the widows, the orphans, the oppressed, and the immigrants around you? How are you making disciples of the people that God has already placed in your path? Are you living to the glory of God right now?

    If you are questioning whether or not God is calling you to live and to minister in another zip code, country, or continent, here are some questions that can help guide you.

    • Have believers and leaders in the context of a local church affirmed your calling and recognized spiritual gifts that are in place in your life?
    • Have you discussed this possible calling with your parents? If so, what is their response? God instruct us to honor our parents, and their counsel should not be taken lightly.
    • How diligent have you been in praying about whether or not this is what God is leading you to? Have you fasted and prayed specifically regarding this issue?
    • Are you consistently studying Scripture (and not just flipping to random passages but systematically studying it)? What has God been communicating through His Word? Your service for God should overflow from your relationship with God and your time with Him.
    • Are you being obedient to Scripture in the place where God currently has you?

    Calling is not something determined by the believer alone. Accountability and instruction is essential for every believer, and if you sense that God is calling you into some sort of ministry, such mentoring in the context of your local faith family is even more crucial. While another person cannot tell you what God specifically wants you to do with your life, believers can speak into what they discern regarding how the Holy Spirit has gifted you for service.

    At the end of the worship gathering, Pastor David asked Katie if she thought that what she was doing was radical. Her response? “No. It’s abnormal, but it’s not radical.” Her abnormal might not be your calling, but how are you being obedient to the instructions of Scripture where God has you? How are you being faithful right now?

    If you missed hearing Katie Davis share at our worship gatherings this past Sunday, you can listen to the podcast by visiting this site.

    Category: Church, College Life, MissionTags: , , , , , | Comments (1)

  3. Dodging the Rhino

    October 13, 2011 by Britten Taylor

    The devastating effects of deceptive sin are a common theme in gospel conversations/counseling opportunities with people each day. Disciple-making is often times dirty and difficult. People’s lives are broken and in need of a Savior. That Savior is infinitely more precious than any momentary sinful pleasure this world has to offer, but the ability to see that truth is continually threatened by our great enemies (Satan, this world, our flesh).

    With that said, Kris Lundgaard’s book, “The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin” is an excellent read in dealing with the sin in our own lives, as well as sin in the lives we seek to lead toward Christ.  This book seeks to bring John Owen’s 17th century work into the 21st century.

    Side note: If you’ve ever tried to read Owens, you are no doubt saying, “Amen!”

    After several conversations today dealing with the effects of sin in the lives of people, I was reminded  how Lundgaard addresses what he calls the “Rhino” of indwelling sin in the believer’s life. The “Rhino” analogy of sin originally comes from a quote by G.K. Chesterton…

    If a rhinoceros were to enter this restaurant now, there is no denying he would have great power here. But I should be the first to rise and assure him that he had no authority whatever.

    In his book, Lundgaard speaks of the “Rhino” each believer deals with daily…

    Indwelling sin is a usurper to the throne who, like the rhino, can at times force himself on us. Even though we rise and tell him he has no authority, he can push us around the restaurant.

    He goes on to say…

    The more you discover the power of indwelling sin, the less you will suffer its effects. Because the better you know this rhino, the more you will hate it; and to the length that you abhor it – and no farther – you will grasp for grace against it.

    Finally, he offers a very stern warning…

    But if you don’t find yourself dodging the rhino’s horn day and night in a struggle against sin, it may be that you’ve made peace with the rhino. You are willingly, happily under its power and rule. In that case, you should doubt that you are born of God. NO one who is born of God can live at peace with sin (1 John 3:9). I appeal to you, for the sake of your soul: Run to Christ! Only he can slay the rhino in your heart.

    Praying tonight that each of you are running toward the Rhino Slayer!

    Category: College Life, Gospel Comments (0)

  4. Diverse Excellencies in Christ Jesus

    October 12, 2011 by Britten Taylor

    An impressive paragraph explaining an incredible reality in Jesus Christ…

    (from a sermon by Jonathan Edwards, “The Admirable Conjunction of Diverse Excellencies in Christ Jesus“)

    There meet in Jesus Christ, infinite justice and infinite grace.

    As Christ is a divine person, he is infinitely holy and just, hating sin, and disposed to execute condign punishment for sin. He is the Judge of the world, and the infinitely just Judge of it, and will not at all acquit the wicked, or by any means clear the guilty.

    And yet he is infinitely gracious and merciful. Though his justice be so strict with respect to all sin, and every breach of the law, yet he has grace sufficient for every sinner, and even the chief of sinners. And it is not only sufficient for the most unworthy to show them mercy, and bestow some good upon them, but to bestow the greatest good; yea, it is sufficient to bestow all good upon them, and to do all things for them. There is no benefit or blessing that they can receive, so great but the grace of Christ is sufficient to bestow it on the greatest sinner that ever lived. And not only so, but so great is his grace, that nothing is too much as the means of this good. It is sufficient not only to do great things, but also to suffer in order to do it, and not only to suffer, but to suffer most extremely even unto death, the most terrible of natural evils; and not only death, but the most ignominious and tormenting, and every way the most terrible that men could inflict; yea, and greater sufferings than men could inflict, who could only torment the body. He had sufferings in his soul, that were the more immediate fruits of the wrath of God against the sins of those he undertakes for.

     

    Category: Gospel Comments (0)

  5. Katie Davis to Speak at Brook Hills THIS Sunday

    October 11, 2011 by Ashley Chesnut

    This Sunday at all three worship gatherings (9am, 11am, and 6pm), Katie Davis of Amazima Ministries will be sharing with our faith family about her story and about the work that God is doing in Uganda.

    After going on a short-term mission trip to Uganda when she was eighteen, Katie returned the next summer – foregoing college and her life in the U.S. – to teach kindergarten at an orphanage. It was during this time that Katie recognized the lack of educational opportunities for children in this country as well as the astronomical number of people who are malnourished, who lack medical care, and who do not know Jesus. This led her to found Amazima Ministries, which seeks to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the people of Uganda. This ministry coordinates a child sponsorship program, a feeding program, a self-sustaining vocational program, and a school.

    Currently, Katie is the mother of 13 Ugandan girls whom she has adopted. Think about it – Katie is about the age of a college senior. Can you imagine having 13 children at that age? What led Katie to do such a thing? Love for her Savior.

    Come on Sunday to hear more about Katie’s story but, more importantly, to hear about the One who is worth such a radical life of obedience.

    If you would like to follow Katie’s blog, you can visit this site. Her story has also been recently published as a book.

    Category: MissionTags: , , , , | Comments (0)

  6. Resources for Evangelism & Teaching the Gospel

    October 7, 2011 by Ashley Chesnut

    If you are wanting to train your small group on evangelism…

    “Threads” – This sermon series by David Platt shows how to weave the gospel in your everyday life.

    Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World by Becky Pippert – This book looks at how believers can incorporate evangelism into their daily lives.

    “Biblical Understanding of Evangelism” – This online resource and podcast is part of the 9Marks ministry, and it identifies what is evangelism and how we can share our faith.

    The Fellowship Group Handbook by Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City is a phenomenal resource for small group leaders, and it includes portions on how to gather your small group to show the Word and to share the Word with others.

    Here is a video on how to share the gospel on vimeo that you can watch, and it is produced by the Acts 29 Network.

    If you have people whom you are discipling who are not practicing evangelism, here is an excellent blog post from The Gospel Coalition that provides information and resources on this topic.

     

    If you need resources for teaching the gospel to others…

    “IMPACT” – This sermon series by David Platt teaches each of the five components of the biblical gospel.

    “Lifeblood” – This sermon series by David Platt walks through why the gospel is important and how it affects our lives as believers.

    What is the gospel? by Greg Gilbert

    “The Cross of Christ” – This Secret Church study by David Platt digs into the theology and the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection.

    “Crucifixion, Salvation, and the Glory of God” – This Secret Church study by David Platt studies how salvation is made possible through Christ’s death and resurrection and how it is all for God’s glory.

    In our college ministry’s Small Group Leadership Development Curriculum, we have a portion on teaching the gospel to your small group and teaching your small group how to share their testimony. For these notes, visit this site and download the two pdfs at the bottom of the page.

     

    If you are specifically wanting to learn more about Islam in order to reach Muslims…

    Breaking the Islamic Code by J.D. Greear

    Bridges by The Crescent Project (This is a CD with a workbook)

    Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad by Timothy George

     

    If you have any other resources that you would like to share, please post them as a comment!

    Category: Church, Gospel, MissionTags: , , , , , | Comments (0)

  7. Secret Church Simulcast at Samford University

    October 4, 2011 by Ashley Chesnut

    Shhhh…..Tell everyone! The college ministry at Brook Hills will be hosting a simulcast of Secret Church at Samford University in Reid Chapel on Friday, November 4th!

    College students in Birmingham, if you didn’t get tickets to the live event at Brook Hills, you can join us for the simulcast with a few of your friends.

    Suggested $2 donation at the door to help cover the expense of the study guide.

    Seating will be first come first serve. Doors will open at 5:30pm, and Secret Church begins at 6pm.

    This semester, David Platt will be teaching on “Marriage, Family, Sex, and the Gospel.” Be ready for six hours of instruction on what the Bible says about issues that are ultimately foundational for the display of the glory of God in our lives, in the church, and in the world such as…

    -Marriage
    -Singleness
    -Sex
    -Divorce
    -Homosexuality
    -Pornography
    -Adoption
    -Abortion
    -Manhood
    -Womanhood

    Join our Facebook event page in order to receive updates about this event and to spread the word!

    For more information about Secret Church, visit this site.

    Category: Church, College Life, GospelTags: , , , , , , | Comments (0)