1 Corinthians 2:10b–13

As we continue through 1 Corinthians we begin to notice one of the major themes arise: the Holy Spirit's presence and work.

This week we see how Paul points us to the Spirit's presence as the basis for our capacity to know God. Here's the video:

Remember if you want to catch up on previous studies, you can visit the 1 Corinthians Study playlist to see them all.

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 2:6–10a

What is the wisdom hidden from the world but revealed in God? This week our study begins to unpack this mysterious wisdom as discussed in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church.

Here's the video:

To see the whole series in this study, click on this link: 1 Corinthians Bible Study

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 Application Questions

As we consider how to apply Paul's words from the beginning of chapter 5, think through the following questions:

• How do Paul's words about lofty speech and wisdom apply to our celebrity preacher culture today? Do you ever struggle with the desire for the preaching at Trinity to be more like a TV or radio preacher that you appreciate? Does the "celebrity" status of those preachers have a tendency to draw more attention to the preacher/speaker than to Christ and the Gospel?
• Do you watch for "fear and trembling" in the preaching at Trinity Church? What would it mean if our preachers (either our pastor or guest preachers) put confidence in themselves and in their preaching skills and abilities? 
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching? And what is his role in listening to preaching? Do you find yourself relying on the Holy Spirit to hear and understand the wisdom of the Word of God preached? Why or why not? How could you approach the preaching of the Word with greater reliance on the Holy Spirit?

Suggested Prayers:

• Lord, help me to hear when your Word is preached faithfully, and to turn aside from temptations to wish that I could sit under the preaching of a "celebrity" preacher. Give me a greater appreciation for preaching done not with lofty speech or worldly wisdom but by the power of God.
• Father, give my pastor fear and trembling each time he steps into the pulpit, and cause him to rely on you in every way as he preaches. 
• Jesus, may your Gospel always be the central teaching of every sermon at Trinity. Renew our focus on you, Lord Christ, and the work of your saving grace in our midst.
• Holy Spirit, guide my heart to hear your Word as it is preached, and teach me to listen more closely according to the ways you have shaped the sermons I hear. Show me my need for the Gospel each time I listen to preaching, and show me how the Gospel fulfills that need more than I could ask or imagine.

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5

Resuming our study in 1 Corinthians after a month break, this week we start into chapter 2 and look at how Paul describes his own sense of calling when it came to presenting the message of the Gospel to the Corinthian church.

Here's the video:

If you're still catching up to us in this study, you can see all of the videos here:

1 Corinthians Study Playlist

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:26–31

Today we continue in studying 1 Corinthians, wrapping up the first chapter by discussing how—and why—Paul instructed that we "boast in the Lord."

Here's the video:

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 application questions

Following up on the video discussion from yesterday, here are some questions and reflections for application.

• Do you think of yourself as being "on the way" with regard to your salvation? And do you see the cross as the power to enable you to continue to grow and progress in it? What leads us at times to think the we are "past the cross" and focus on something else?
• What comes to mind when you think of "power"? What are powerful things, in your opinion? Consider what makes them powerful to you. Do you see those things in the cross? What does the "power of the cross" teach you about real power? 
• What comes to mind when you think of "folly" and "foolishness"? How is what the world offers in terms of "power" actually folly compared to God? 
• Which of the two groups do you tend to be like the most: the Jews, who need signs to believe, or the Greeks, who need convincing arguments or eloquent words? What did this passage speak to in your heart, about these tendencies?

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25

In this study we look at Paul's contrast of power—specifically the power of God—with folly, and especially the folly of humanity.

Here's the video:

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:10–17 application questions

Following up on Paul's words about the splinter groups and factions in the Corinthian church, we might consider the following questions about application...

• What kinds of "groups" have emerged with people in your church (including in your own life)? Are there people that follow certain people (e.g., R.C. Sproul, Tim Keller, John Piper), schools (e.g., Calvinism, the Puritans), movements or issues (e.g., particular schooling methods, social justice matters)? 
• How do the voices that exercise this kind of selectivity add and enrich the conversations within your congregation? How do they challenge you in ways that you haven't thought of before? How do they advance a deeper understanding of the Gospel and Kingdom?
• Do any of those selectivity patterns distract the congregation from the Gospel? What causes that to happen in your context?
• In light of Paul's words, how ought we to approach selectivity within the church? How can we see it as strengthening the church? How ought we to take care with it? 
• Get introspective for a moment: in what ways do your own selectivity preferences present a distraction from the Gospel for you? What do you need to re-align to put them into proper perspective in light of the Gospel?

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:10–17

This week as we continue into Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth, we see that he shifted from introduction to the start of addressing issues and concerns—starting with his concern about the divisions within the congregation.

Here's the video for this study:

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:4–9

Continuing in our brief studies in 1 Corinthians, today we look at the rest of the introduction/greeting section in vv. 4–9. In this short section, Paul gives thanks for how God has enriched the church.

Here's the video:

During the video, I mentioned that we (the Trinity session) would like it if all of our members completed a spiritual gifts inventory and sent us the results. I am grateful that LifeWay has provided a free copy of their spiritual gifts inventory online; you can find it here:
https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/women-leadership-spiritual-gifts-growth-service

If you would, please download the PDF and complete the inventory sometime over the next week or two. Then email me either a copy of your completed inventory summary or simply a list of those gifts that it shows that you have. Thanks!

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:1–3 application questions

Following up on the exposition part of the study earlier in the week, here are some application questions about 1 Corinthians 1:1–3.

• What do you usually think about your own sanctification? Does it challenge your way of thinking to consider how Paul addressed the Corinthians as "those sanctified"? Do you think of yourself as being viewed as already sanctified in the eyes of God, even as he continues to do the work of bringing this to fuller reality?
• When you consider Paul's address of the Corinthians as "those called to be saints" does it bother you, in light of their ongoing struggles with sin? Who do you think is worthy of the label "saints"? Do you count yourself in that category? If your category of "saints" doesn't include ALL Christians, what requirements or qualifications allows one to be a saint and prevents another from being one? How does that definition of "saints" compare to the way that Paul (and the rest of the Bible) uses the word?
• Paul greets them with a familiar but significant greeting: "grace and peace to you." What does it mean to pass along these two states of being in a greeting? Do you read those words as being perfunctory and empty because they are words of greeting? Or do you recognize that Paul genuinely meant them as what he would have for the Corinthians?

Areas for Prayer

• Lord, teach me to view myself and my spiritual status through your eyes—that, because of the work you completed on my behalf, I need never fear that you see me as fully sanctified and having all righteousness. Remind me of that when I struggle with sin, that I might live according to the identity you have given me through my union with you, and not live according to the flesh.
• Father, give me a sense of unity and inclusion in the church, and protect me from feeling like an outsider from those who are part of your body. Show me what it means that you call me a "saint"—someone set apart for your purposes—and help me to understand my life in light of that reality.
• Lord Jesus, you became incarnate to bring your kingdom to all of creation, and through your life, death, resurrection, and ascension you have graciously secured the permanence of your kingdom come for all the world. Help me, and all of those who believe and trust in you, to see life with "grace and peace" in view, and to relate to one another, to your creation, to ourselves, and to you in light of the grace and peace that you make possible.

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:1–3

Having spent eight weeks discussing how Christians and the church ought to respond during the pandemic, we've decided that we've said enough on that topic for now.

Starting this week, then, we will begin a new study looking at Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church. In this brief introduction, I look at the opening three verses and explore what Paul's salutation to the Corinthians means.

Here's the video:

Check back tomorrow for some application questions.

COVID-19 related links

As we've taken in all of the information about the pandemic, we've found some links and information to be more helpful than others. Below is the list of links that we've found useful for our consideration; perhaps they will be helpful for your church, as well. (I'll update the list as new resources become available.)

General information

CDC Guidance for Cleaning/Disinfecting
CDC Guidelines for Creating a Disinfecting Plan (Quick Guide)
CDC — When and How to Wash Your Hands
EPA COVID-19 Disinfectant List
The Risks: Know Them, Avoid Them (from blogger Erin Bromage)

Related to churches re-opening/resuming embodied corporate worship

CDC FAQ for Administrators/Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Considerations for Reopening the Church Building (from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board)
The Way Back to In-Person Worship: When to return? And under what conditions? (From the PCA's ByFaith magazine)
Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Releases Guidance on Reopening Houses of Worship (TN Governor Lee)
Guidelines for Places of Worship (Alabama Public Health)
24 Questions Your Church Should Answer before People Return (from LifeWay staffer Ken Braddy)
10 Easy-to-Overlook Aspects of Church Reopening (from LifeWay staffer Ken Braddy)
4 Phases for an Orderly Return to Church (from LifeWay staffer Ken Braddy)

On singing in public spaces

Singing, The Church, and COVID-19: A Caution for Moving Forward in Our Current Pandemic
Is Congregational Singing Dangerous? (from the Gospel Coalition)
Before You Panic: Thoughts on Congregational Singing and Choirs in Light of the Pandemic (from Renewing Worship)

On the opportunities that churches have to minister

Leading Beyond the Blizzard: Why Every Organization Is Now a Startup (from Andy Crouch/Praxis Journal)

Strategies for Winter: Redemptive Leadership in Survival Times (from Andy Crouch/Praxis Journal)
Ed Stetzer on the Crisis and Opportunity Facing the Church (from the Billy Graham Center)

Trinity Questions #8: When will we resume embodied corporate worship?

The looming question for most of us is: when will Trinity resume having worship in-person again? What will it take to make that happen? What will it look like when it does? What things do participants need to know?

This week's video focuses on exactly those questions. Shane and I have been working hard to get those questions answered, and we've made a lot of progress. In the video below, I'll talk you through what we've been discussing and what is left to figure out. I'll also offer some direct thoughts on what you will need to know to participate.

Also, please note: at the end of the video I mentioned that we will have a brief meeting for questions and answers following worship on Sunday. If you are able to stay online for that, we would really appreciate it.

TRC Questions #7: Application

As we consider the reasons and rationale for gathering together for worship, and for using the Zoom platform for virtual worship, here are some reflections on application.

• When you are unable to attend worship (because of illness, travel, or some other providential hindrance), do you have a strong sense that you are missing it? Do you consider that the rest of the congregation feels your absence as well? 
• How does your presence contribute to the service of worship being offered by the congregation? What ways do you pick up on the contributions of others to the worship service? How is that different in "virtual" worship—is it amplified? Suppressed? 
• What do you do in preparation for corporate worship ordinarily? Do you do those same things to prepare for "virtual" worship?
• How does the reason of "covenant renewal" shift your own expectations for corporate worship? How does it change the importance. you place on your own participation in corporate worship? Does covenant renewal represent a new paradigm for you for how and why corporate worship is vital to the life of a Christian?

Zoom Thoughts

Also as we reflect on worshiping via "virtual" space, I thought it would be helpful for you to consider the following "best practices" and other suggestions for worshiping via the Zoom platform.

• Zoom has two main viewing modes: Gallery view and Presenter view. We recommend that you use Gallery view for most/all of the worship service, in order to best sense the presence of your fellow worshipers. You may prefer to switch to Presenter view during the sermon.
• It may be difficult to see and participate in the virtual worship service on a device with a smaller screen. We encourage you to use the largest screen that you can, so that you might see everyone else clearly. Many devices are able to broadcast video up to a full-size TV using certain connections or additional devices, which may be optimal for your experience of virtual worship.
• Because your participation is just as important as everyone else's, ideally you would keep both audio and video "on" throughout the whole worship service. This way others can see and hear you, just as you can them, and the feeling of one another's presence will emphasize the gathering aspect of worship, even if virtually. If you are unable (for various reasons) to enable both audio and video, we strongly recommend that you engage at least one—let us see or hear you, if not both.
• In the same way that it is important that you see everyone else clearly, it is important that they can see you clearly too! Device cameras placed at low angles (such as in your lap or on a coffee table, etc.) can make it difficult for the rest of us to see your face. We suggest that you find a convenient way to prop your device up at eye level or slightly below.
• As with normal face-to-face worship, your participation in the various elements of the worship service is edifying and encouraging to the others who are also participating. Singing with full voice, reading aloud and in a consistent meter/rhythm for congregational elements of the liturgy, and standing/kneeling as you are physically able all serve to build up the body and strengthen everyone's worship, not just your own.
• Just as when worshiping "in person" then most of us are actively mindful of how our actions may be a hindrance to worship for those around us, so it is with virtual worship too. While it may be tempting to multi-task or keep your hands from being idle, please be considerate of how your choices and actions may be a distraction and hindrance to others' worship.
• Whereas in a regular gathering for worship then seating arrangements and other factors allow us to shift our focus toward the worship leader, in virtual worship we are more vulnerable to distractions, both visual and audible. What makes for a distraction? It is something that is unexpected—which can be a sound or something happening on the screen. Someone standing and walking out of view is not a distraction, because that happens regularly; someone standing up and starting to do jumping jacks IS a distraction, because we would never expect that during a corporate worship service. Please be conscious of how what you are doing on your end of the camera/microphone may distract others, and thus hinder them from worship.
• One benefit that Zoom offers as our virtual sanctuary for worship is that we can socialize with one another, more like we might in a more normal setting. Please plan to log into the Zoom meeting early before the service, and/or to stay on afterward, if you want to socialize. Also, we would encourage you to account for the limitations of the platform for socializing; try not to dominate the conversation, or exclude others by focusing on one person or topic too narrowly.

TRC Questions #7: Why Zoom? Continued...

Following up on last week's discussion, I return this week to the question, "Why did Trinity choose Zoom for our virtual worship?"

To answer that question, I dig deeper into the bigger question, "Why do we gather for public, corporate worship in the first place?"

These questions are at the heart of what we do at Trinity, and who we are as Christians and worshipers. Here's this week's video:

Look for questions and application coming over the days to come.

TRC Questions #6: Why Zoom?

Why did we choose to use the Zoom platform for our worship services during the pandemic? Why not just use a streaming media service as so many other churches have opted to do?

To understand this, we have to first ask and answer the question, "Why do we worship corporately in the first place?" Why do we gather for worship as Christians?

In this week's video, I begin to answer the questions above. This will be the first of a multi-part answer that will be broken down over the next few weeks. Here's this week's video:

Over the next few days I'll provide further reflection on application and prayer, as I have been doing.

TRC Questions #5: Application and Prayer

In light of the discussion about trusting God versus testing God, and the brief synopsis the I gave about the decision-making process that Shane and I are employing, I wanted to offer the following reflections about application and prayer on this topic.

Application Questions

• What are some ways where you have seen God's providence in common, everyday ways? Can you make a short list of ways that God provides for you through ordinary means?
• Who are some of the wisest people that you know? What makes you think of them as "wise"? How do you see trusting in God's providence linked to wisdom in them?
• What are some ways that you are tempted to test God instead of trust him? 
• How are the wise people in your life responding to the pandemic? What responses do you consider to be foolish? Do you see others testing God in their words and actions, in response to the pandemic?
• What questions do YOU feel need to be answered satisfactorily, before you will feel comfortable with Trinity Church resuming regular corporate worship? Where will you turn for answers to those questions?
• What questions do you believe the elders need to ask and answer before we should call for resuming regular corporate worship? (Would you list them in the comments to this blog please?)

Prayer

• O Lord, give me patience and wisdom at all times, and help me to trust in you and your divine providence. Protect me from the temptations to doubt, act foolishly, or test you in any way.
• Father, during this season of isolation during the pandemic, grant me a particular wisdom to act in trust of your providence, and guide me away from testing you by my words, actions, or thoughts.
• Dear God, give me wisdom about how much I should expose myself—and through so doing, also expose others—even after civic leaders have lifted restrictions about "social distancing." Let my trust in you, and in the advice of those who know and understand how pandemics function, guide me in my actions. 
• Lord, grant wisdom and insight to the elders of the church as they seek answers to the questions they are asking regarding resuming ordinary worship services. Help them, that the decision to resume would be neither too soon nor too long, but when it is good, right, and fitting to do so.
• God, sustain all of us with patience and perseverance during this strange season of isolation, and help us to endure well through the remainder of the time when we must isolate. May it be all that much sweeter to gather once the isolation is lifted.

TRC Questions #5: Trusting God vs. Testing God

In this week's discussion, I talk about the difference between trusting God and his providence, versus testing God, during times of crisis or need. I also explain some of the practical considerations that the TRC session is taking in thinking toward resuming weekly public worship in a face-to-face, in-person way.

At the end of the video, I invite your feedback: if you have any thoughts about the kinds of questions we need to ask and answer in considering resuming worship in-person, we want to hear them. Please give your input in comments below.

Here's this week's video:

TRC Questions #4: Application and Prayer

Yesterday we looked at Luke 10, the parable of the "Good Samaritan"—and how that passage emphasizes for us some of the principles of loving our neighbors that are instructive during a pandemic crisis.

Today let's consider some possible points of application, and some ways we can pray, in light of this.

Application

• Who is YOUR neighbor? Make a list of everyone who you can think of that, according to the parameters in Luke 10, would qualify as your neighbor. NOTE: there may be people whose names you don't even know, but should be included (i.e., "the clerk at the store I visit weekly" or "that new employee I haven't met yet").
• Reflect carefully: if you found out one of these neighbors was in distress, how would you respond? What would you do, say, and/or pray for them? Be as honest with yourself as you can about what your instincts would lead you to do.
• How does neighbor-love shape the way that you have reacted to the pandemic isolation? Does it motivate you to act (or to opt not to act) in some way that you normally wouldn't? Does it give you patience and endurance for things that otherwise would make you frustrated?
• Consider what 1 Corinthians 13 says about what love is. Most often we consider that "love chapter" with regards to romantic love, but take a few minutes to apply it to the idea of neighbor love. How does that re-shape your picture of what loving our neighbors looks like?
• How can Trinity Church love our neighbors better as a congregation? Do you agree that, as an expression of neighbor-love, ceasing to meet in person for worship is a good decision? 
• What hopes do you have for Trinity to extend greater love to neighbor in the future? Can you think of something that we could do, which we haven't? (Reply or leave a comment if so, telling us what it is!)

Prayer

• Father, I pray that you would teach me more every day of how I am to love my neighbor and what that requires of me. Increase my willingness to do so, and give me motivation to expend myself for the sake of others.
• God, please reveal to me the ways that I have not loved my neighbors well, especially during this pandemic, and grant me a contrite heart for where I have fallen short of what you've commanded me to do. Turn my focus from myself and my own comfort and ease to the service and care of others.
• Lord, please use the many acts of loving neighbor—my own, those of my friends and family, and from Christians across the world—to bring hope and grace to those in need of it, and draw our neighbors closer to you through acts of love.
• God, also use the acts of social distancing (whether it is motivated by love for neighbor or not) to effectively reduce the spread of this virus, and bring us back soon to a point where we can make contact with one another again.
• Father, reveal to your congregation of Trinity Church, and especially to the elders, ways in which we might love our neighbors better, more fully, more completely. Help us to have the willingness and selflessness to carry out these acts as we are able.

Trinity Questions #4: What about those churches that ARE meeting?

The most recent question I was asked, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, is what my thoughts were about those churches that had determined NOT to cease meeting—and how that squares with the decision that we made regarding Trinity.

In this week's video I answer that question. Here it is:

Tomorrow I will post more, particularly with regard to application and prayer.

Trinity Questions #3: Fasting and Prayer—Resources and Prayer List

Yesterday I posted a video discussing the call for a congregation-wide day of fasting and prayer. Today I want to give you a few resources that will help you flesh out your sense of fasting and prayer even more.

Resources

To begin with, ByFaith magazine has a brief summary of the call for a day of prayer and fasting from the denominations mentioned in the video:

https://byfaithonline.com/a-call-for-prayer-fasting-good-friday/

Within that article, they provide a few links to other helpful resources:

• From the ACNA, the Most Reverend Dr. Foley Beach, archbishop, has offered A Guide to Prayer and Fasting.
• Dr. Richard Pratt, President of Third Mill Ministries, has also provided A Guide to Prayer and Fasting.
• There is also a Suggested Prayer List.

Finally, there is another article out there from Reformed Worship magazine, called A Primer on Congregational Fasting.

Prayer

The suggested prayer list provided in the ByFaith article is a very good resource. Some additional ways to pray beyond that, with more particular detail for our congregation.

• Pray for Trinity church members to remain healthy and virus-free, especially those who are older or have chronic illnesses.
• Pray for those of our members who must continue to work away from home to remain safe and protected from contagion and infection.
• Pray that Trinity would have ways and opportunities to minister to Rossville and Fayette County during the pandemic and following it.
• Pray that those in Fayette County and Rossville who are searching for truth and foundations would find it in Christ.

Trinity Questions #3: Fasting and Prayer

Continuing on through our discussions about questions and ideas about facing the pandemic, this week we will consider something that was announced on Sunday: that our Trinity session has called for a day of prayer and fasting on Good Friday, April 10.

What does that mean? Here's a video discussing it.

More to follow on Thursday.

Trinity Questions #2: Why? Prayers

Continuing on in our reflections about the mysteries of God, and how we live with them (and even embrace them) during challenging times, let's think about how we ought to pray about both the mysteries of God and the answers we sometimes seek.

Personal

Lord, for myself I pray that...

• I would learn to accept the limitations of my own knowledge and control of the world I live in, and that these limitations would increase my faith and trust in you.
• In times of crisis, trial, or challenge, I would embrace the mysteries of the faith and not push back against them, because I would see that your ways are higher than my ways, and your thoughts higher than mine.
• You would protect me from the temptation to think or speak with too much certainty or confidence in my knowledge of "why" things happen—from thinking that I am "wise in this age" and from "boasting in men."
• In times of anxiety, fear, depression, or doubt, that you would comfort me with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit and remind my soul that, while I may not know why things are happening the way that they are or how you will bring redemption during difficult circumstances, YOU know all things and can (and will) bring redemption to even the most challenging experiences.

Community/Church

Lord, for our church and community I pray that...

• Trinity Reformed Church would be a community where it is safe and healthy to embrace the mysteries of God, and not one in which we presume to know more of your ways than we actually can or do.
• In our local area—Rossville, Fayette County, the metro Memphis area—we would be a beacon of hope and encouragement even during mysterious times.
• All Christians would trust more, and believe more, in your higher ways, not boasting in men, and that our faith would draw unbelievers to you, inviting them into faith.

Trinity Questions #2: Why? Application

As we think about how to apply the idea of these "mysteries" in our lives—particularly during the hardest times—it can be challenging to make any sense of it at all.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the foolishness of boastful knowledge or certainty about the ways of God. Isaiah, centuries earlier, prophesied similarly, saying, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8–9). And Job, when faced with immense personal tragedy about which he had no understanding or justification, said of God, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him"—but he also said immediately following, "Yet I will argue my ways to his face" (Job 13:15).

It may be helpful in this case to ask application questions, rather than instruction-like statements.

Personal

• What drives you to feel the need to ask "why"? Is this a question of simple curiosity? A longing to know the reasons for everything? A sense of "deserving" to have the wrongs of the world justified? Something else? Does Paul's admonishment in 1 Corinthians speak to our hearts about this at all?
• Why do we, like Job, feel that we have a right to "argue our ways" to God's face? Do we have a right to know why things happen to us, or to others? How did that work out for Job?
• When bad things happen to you or around you, is your instinct to think, "God has it in for me"? Why do you think people—especially Christians—think of crises and tragedies as punishment? Are there other ways to think of them? How does this sense of punishment fit with Christ's atonement through the cross?
• Often, the objection that a good God wouldn't allow bad things to happen is offered as evidence that God doesn't exist. What is the weakness of this argument? Would it be more comforting to believe that there was no God, rather than to believe that, for some reason, God allows bad things to happen? Is it arrogant to think that, if God exists, we must be able to understand all that he does and allows? (How does that fit with Isaiah's prophecy?)
• What does it take to embrace "mystery" as a Christian? What does it require of you in terms of trusting God? What stands in the way of trusting him in that way?

Community/Church

• People often look to the church and/or to God during times of crisis. What are some of the answers they would find? What comforts do the church offer to those seeking solace?
• How does the church's identity as "the body of Christ" fit into this puzzle? Is there a sense that the church, as Christ's body, is a comforting presence in itself, without being able to offer clear or comprehensive answers to these hard questions?
• The members of Trinity are no strangers to the trials and hard parts of our fallen world. What comfort can we offer to one another through our own experiences of grief and personal crisis? How can we offer those comforts to our neighbors outside of Trinity?
• In what ways does the worship liturgy that we use call us to see the "higher ways" of God, and to embrace the mysteries of the faith? How about other aspects of our life together as a congregation? How could these fulfill those goals more fully?

Trinity Questions #2: Why?

Continuing with our series of questions asked during times of crisis, today we look (way too briefly) at one of the biggest: Why? Why do these things happen? Why does a sovereign God allow them to happen?

This is an age-old question, not unique to any particular time, circumstance, or crisis. Nevertheless, it's a question that gets asked frequently, by believers and non-believers alike.

Here's our video:

A couple of side notes:

First, my apologies for the lateness of this one. Circumstances prevented me from getting it completed sooner.

Second, my apologies also about the quality and unfamiliar setting. This was actually videoed in my home office/study space, because appointments I had on Tuesday and Wednesday kept me from having time to do this from my study at the church.

More to come tomorrow!

Trinity Questions #1: Praying

Over the last two days we've looked at 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 and thought about what it means for Christians in times of crisis. Specifically, we've discussed the attitude that Christians are called to take on, all the time but particularly during seasons of challenge like the one we are in right now with the Coronavirus pandemic.

That passage exhorts us to live in light of a few facts which should shape the love we show for neighbor: that just because something is lawful doesn't make it good for others; that we are to focus on that which is helpful and builds up others; and that we should seek our own good first, but the good of others.

In light of these, what are some ways that we can pray?

For Ourselves

Lord, for myself I pray...

• That I would learn to put the good of others before my own good, so that it would become second-nature to me to love my neighbor in this way.
• That I would have discernment to recognize those things that may be lawful, but which are not helpful or that do not build others up—and that I would have the discipline to deny myself of that which is not helpful or edifying to others.
• That I would be shaped more and more into your image, so that denying myself, taking up my cross, and following in your path of serving those around me would become my identity.

For the Nation/World

Lord, for all that is going on in the nation and world right now, I pray...

• That Christians all over the world would heed what your Word teaches us about love of neighbor, and would take measures to live in light of that during this pandemic crisis.
• That your church would shine as a beacon of service, selflessness, and sacrifice during this crisis, in the way that she has during other eras, so much that even the hardest-hearted among us would glorify your name because of the deeds of your church.
• That citizens everywhere would display acts of kindness and care for their neighbors, and that you would move each to turn aside from selfishness for the sake of others.
• That the leaders of nations would have wise counsel and make wise decisions about what measures to enact in order to address the needs of the people they serve, and that they would pursue that which is good, just, and right, not seeking their own interests.
• That you would ease the difficulty, quell the pain and suffering, and comfort those who are grieving in the wake of this virus; draw near to those who have been affected by it, and draw them near to you in faith.

For Rossville

Lord, for the community of Rossville, I pray...

• That the leaders of local government would wisely guide and direct the community through this crisis, and be responsive to the immediate needs of our community.
• That the citizens of our community would know how to serve one another during the pandemic, and would do so out of love for neighbor and a selfless heart that you have given to them.
• That Trinity Reformed Church would be an instrument of your grace and peace throughout the pandemic season, serving each other and those outside of our congregation faithfully and well.

Trinity Questions #1: Suggested Application

Yesterday we briefly considered the attitude that Christians are called to embody at all times—especially during times of crisis, like we are currently facing.

Today I'd like to think together about some possible ways to apply this in our lives right now. Please note that these are suggested application points, not mandates or direct instructions. And they are just the beginning of a potentially long list of suggestions, so please add your own ideas to the mix!

First Corinthians 10:23–24, the main passage we looked at yesterday, mentioned three particulars to pay attention to: things that are helpful, things that build up, and things that seek the good of neighbor. Let's consider some ways that those might find direct application right now.

• As we think of neighbors: who are your literal neighbors, the people that live closest to your home? What are ways that you could do things that are for their good right now? Someone posted a note they had sent to all of their neighbors, offering to help them by getting them groceries, pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy, or other errands they may not be able to do themselves. Even if you don't know your neighbors very well, an offer to serve them would be a great act of neighbor love.
• Also related to "the good of neighbor": as long as the spread of this virus is such a grave concern, the practice of "social distancing"—keeping a space of about six feet between you and anyone else—is not just an act of self-preservation but also one of love for neighbor, because it respects their need to keep from infection as well as your own. Even for someone we might feel inclined to greet with more affection, a hug or handshake at this particular time is inconsiderate and unloving.
• It's been surprising to see the "hoarding" of staple goods during this pandemic. This strikes me as a perfect example of something that might be "lawful" but that isn't helpful or building up of others. Christians shouldn't take more than their "share" of even the most vital items. We might even consider foregoing our own needs or desires for the sake of others, and simply not buying an item so someone else can have it. One person recognized that items marked for "WIC" (the "women, infants, and children" food program) should be skipped over by those who aren't enrolled in WIC, so that WIC mothers would have them to buy. This kind of decision is helpful and builds others up.
• One way we can consider others, love them, and build them up is to keep in mind that those around us may be facing this crisis in challenging ways. They may be struggling to pay rent or afford groceries; they might have lost their job and be fearful about the future. It could be they someone close to them is sick from the virus or otherwise. Those who struggle with depression or anxiety could be seeing those struggles flare up in difficult ways. Love is patient and kind, and exercising some extra grace toward others is definitely called for during a time like this.

How can the church be actively serving our community in love right now?

• We are going to make sure that everyone in our own church community has what they need. Much as we do during a time of particular need when we coordinate meals for others, we will do all we can to coordinate meals, groceries, and/or other necessities for those families in our congregation that cannot get them for themselves.
• We want to support the community of Rossville as much as we can. Over the next week our leadership will be in touch with the governing leaders of Rossville and Fayette county to find out how we might play a role in supporting them. We will also be in touch with the Rossville Fire Department, with whom we have had occasional opportunities to be supportive, to learn what they might need and whether we can provide that.
• We are also tentatively planning to set up a Little Free Pantry on the church grounds for those in the immediate area to make use of, which may be particularly helpful during this season when groceries and other household needs are in shorter supply.

Again, these are just a few ideas for application of this attitude that we are called to live out. What ideas do YOU have for this, that we could add to the list?

Trinity Questions #1: Our Attitudes

Hello saints,

As the crisis of the Coronavirus pandemic has struck our world, I've gotten some questions about how we, as Christians, should respond. Here's part one of this week's efforts to answer those questions.

Later this week I'll post some other thoughts reflecting on this particular question/topic, and in the weeks to come I will answer the other questions I've gotten similarly (Lord willing).