Trinity Fellowship

An evening of thanksgiving and praise as Trinity takes possession of the former Whitetail Meadow, where we have been meeting since November, 2024.

We do not determine the time we were born nor the family we were born into. By nature we do not belong to the people of God; faith is not hereditary. Yet God's electing love overrules our heritage and our history. Through His sovereign grace, the Father draws people like us to be part of His church - the new Israel that He is creating through His Son. The Lord is indeed great beyond the borders of Israel. He builds His church at the very gates of hell, gates which cannot prevail because His enemies always undo themselves. Their foot will slip in due time. Christian, how do you know that God loves you? You know because He has called you to take part in rebuilding from the ruins.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

God is sovereign, we are not. Do not forsake His promises for the burden of fear and anxiety. Christ has overcome the world and for those who are in union with Him the can claim this position of victory. Therefore, cast your cares upon the Lord; find rest for two reasons. 1. Every act of wickedness done in rebellion to God will be accounted for on judgement day. 2. Every act of evil brought to God in repentance has been accounted for and paid for 2000 years ago on the Cross.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

The first words in the book of Ruth take us to the days of the judges. In those days, there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). The last word in the book is "David", the one who after ten generations is positioned to fill this need and restore order to God's people. This whole story of Ruth teaches us more than just lessons of duty, loyalty, obedience, and virtue. It teaches us that God's hand is behind all things. The purpose behind all His mysterious moving is to raise up the Seed of a Woman; a Son of Great Renown. You must receive His name as yours. Don't try to rename yourself, according to your circumstances. Don't care about your own name so much that you end up nameless. Instead, receive the name of great David's greater Son. This divine romance ends in wedding bells and leaves us with the name of a great king. Better yet, the whole of history is heading to a final day when the wedding bells will once more peal louder than ever, and the name of the King of kings shall be confessed by every tongue, tribe, and nation.

Naomi's plan was intended to bring Ruth rest. Boaz is then restless until he procures that rest for her. The gospel is on display here. We are the barren and fruitless widow. The first husband could not bring about fruit, and now he is dead, utterly powerless. But from the fall in Eden until the Resurrection, God has set about to redeem His chosen people; His bride. The Lord was restless, as it were, until He secured our eternal rest. The Lord vowed and would not relent until He secured our salvation. We come to Christ alone. We cling to Him alone. He is our rest. Would you be fruitful? Would you find rest? You must come to Christ, the mighty man, the goel, and He will raise you up. After all, He rose from the grave on the first day of the barley harvest.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

Things which appear as "chance" to us have been meticulously ordained by God from the foundation of the world. Ruth's selection of which field to glean advances the story of redemption through its many reversals. Where the faithlessness of Lot's daughters creates apostate nations, the faithfulness of Ruth creates the true people of God. Where Elimelech led his family to ruin in the field of his enemies, Ruth and Naomi find true rest in the fields of Bethlehem. Where Moab refuses Israel, now Boaz cares for a Moabitess. Boaz is the Christ-figure that these destitute widows so badly need. He uses his character, his wealth, his position, and his strength to abundantly care for the woman who will become his bride. This is a story of hesed; of mercy, covenant faithfulness, and of God's provision. We too may be tempted to find fulfillment in the fields of idolatry. Yet there is no blessing apart from the fields of the faithful God who supplies our every need. Therefore, walk in His fields, trust His provision, and delight in His mercy. At His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11).

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

Q&A Discussion Time related to Dr. Voddie Baucham's "How To Raise Kids In a Wicked World" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqVPzFPzhfs

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

The story of Ruth is a story of exile and exodus, of paradise lost and paradise regained, of bitterness turned to sweetness. Naomi can only see the pain of what God has taken out of her hands but does not yet have eyes to see that He has already started to replace it with something better. Elimelech could only see by sight and was taken from her; Ruth can see by faith and becomes a loyal lifelong companion. Ruth is able to see the blessing and the promise of being an outsider grafted into God's covenant people before the native Naomi is able to see it. God continues to direct providence in each one's life. Will we be like Orpah who counts the cost and returns to complacency? Will we be like Ruth whose resolve is strengthened when she sees what is gained? The return of Ruth and Naomi reminds us that the cross of Christ answers our suffering; the gospel of Christ restores and refreshes and turns the bitter to sweet. By grace, Mara can become Naomi once again.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

The opening scene of Ruth is a sobering picture of life lived by sight rather than by faith. By choosing ease, Elimelech removes himself and his family from the blessing of God. In every generation, we too face a similar crossroads. It may seem as though we too live in an age of spiritual famine; an age where each one does right in his own eyes. Will we find our comfort in compromise or in God's promises? God has promised to meet us when we keep our marriage vows, when we lean into faithful parenting and vocation, and in the ordinary means of grace as we gather with His people. We can be no wiser than God; we will not find blessing where He has not placed it. After deep suffering, Naomi had the humility to return to the Lord and to His people. God continues to take us where we are and not where we should have been. May we learn what this faithful widow learned, and what Christ Himself has promised – that if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, He will fill our hands with all good things.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

The story of Ruth and Naomi is a story of needy supplicants who come with nothing. These godly women come with empty hands, hearts of faith, and find redemption through the kindness of Boaz. Boaz and Ruth, as husband and wife are Christ and the church; the husband is free to take the outsider in and cover her with his love and righteousness. In Boaz we see what we also see in Christ Jesus; he is already the son of foreign women who have been grafted into the people of God. The book of Ruth opens with empty arms and the pain of loss, and ends with redemption and arms filled with the promise of new life. The baby sounds of David's grandfather Obed now fills Naomi's heart and home. Mourning has been turned into laughter. Christian, this is your hope in Christ. Ruth went by faith to the source of real redemption. May we likewise follow her footsteps to Him.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

The hinge of history is the redemptive work of Christ for His bride. The drama of Christ's redemption is captured and symbolized in the marriage of husband and wife. And just as the mutual love of Christ and the church overflows into expansion and new life, so does marriage. The goal in all of this is for the knowledge of the glory of the Lord to fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14; Isa. 11:9; Ps. 72:19). When God blesses Christian parents with children, it is because He is seeking godly offspring (Mal. 2:15). Filling the earth with godly offspring requires the transfer of genuine heartfelt faith. This transfer happens through intentional means – prayer, worship, time in the Word, and the normal rhythm of family and church life. How will they know if they are not taught? Parents, you have a heavy joy and a solemn stewardship. Teach your children that their highest calling is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

Baptism is a step of obedience for those that have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. It is a sign to the world around us that our allegiances have changed; that we are no longer slaves to sin but belong body and soul to Jesus Christ. In baptism we are confessing that we have died to sin and been made alive to the things of God. As we do this, Christ is also ministering to us, reminding us of what He has done on our behalf. Adoption into God's family and union with Christ are two of the sweetest gifts of grace that God gives. So the charge is to remember your baptism! Reflect on what this all means. Reflect on the sign that God has put on you. Let us spur each other on as we pursue our new identity in Christ.