Christian Boot Camp

I spent the Summer of 1973 doing “Basic Military Training” at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and more technical trainingfor my chosen military career path at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. This basic training helped prepare me for the tasks that would lie ahead during my time of U.S. Air Force active duty, and the years that would follow in the West Virginia Air National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. Of course there was further training I picked up along the way to help further prepare me for service, but the “Basic Training” taught us just that – the basics of what we needed to know to be effective in our service to our country.

Christ Followers need much of the same, as we seek to follow the Lord in every aspect of our lives.
The Word of God tells us so. Consider how the scriptures implore us to prepare ourselves for service to God through the learning of His Word, for:

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* Christian Growth

1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

2 Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

* Mediation and Teaching

Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way,and when you lie down, and when you rise.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

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* Guidance

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

* Facing persecution

1 Peter 3:14-15 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being
prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

For these (and other reasons) I am preparing and preaching a series of messages on Sunday mornings this Summer in “Basic Doctrines for Christian Growth and Service”. We will be looking at topics such as “Assurance of Salvation”, “Eternal Security”, “Repentance and Restoration”, “Dealing With Temptation”, “Fellowship”, “Christian Maturity”, “The Spirit Filled Life”,“Knowing the Will of God”, etc.

I hope you will join us in worship as we explore these and other basic Christian doctrines in Christian Boot Camp (no pushups or running required!)