Summer Training ProjectSTP2010 TET (Theme) | Summer Training Project

Grace Abounds

ninamariani — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:32:03 +0000

At theme training last night, Matt Reagan gave a talk on grace. The Lord significantly used him to articulate the gospel clearly to all of the students in the room.

He began with discussing Acts 17:25.”Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” He had us consider whether or not we truly believe this in our everyday lives. The good news is that as believers, we simply receive from Him. We cannot do anything to add to this, It is finished! He is continually giving to us, and we receive what He has accomplished on the cross for us.

The gospel is clear in the Bible that though we are sinful, Christ came and died on the cross so that we may experience forever the grace of God. Christ promises to be our advocate forevermore, pleading for us before God.

Matt discussed some barriers in our lives that prevent us from knowing Christ’s love for us. We are continually distracted by personal performance and performance from God. Although we have heard the truth of the cross, we seem to always seek ways to gain approval from both God and man. Throughout our lives our sinful nature seeks to find ways to turn the gospel into laws.Romans 4:4-5 says, “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” No longer do we have to work for God’s approval! We can repent of sin in our hearts, and turn to Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. It is completely FINISHED because of Christ!

After the talk, there was a time of worship and prayer. The room was filled with people worshipping the Lord, praying to Him, and crying over the wonderful news that was so clearly heard. Back on project, many students were having conversations with others rejoicing over what the Lord is doing in their heart. Last night depicted so clearly that the gospel truly is the power for salvation. Please pray for the students whose hearts were open to this for the first time last night. Pray that they would continue to be rooted in Christ, bearing fruit. We are delighted and in awe of God for bringing people to understanding of Christ last night.

TET: Matt Reagan “The Cost of Eternity”

stpweb — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:26:08 +0000

In the last training session before our departure from project, Matt Reagan shared about heaven. He encouraged us to live with our heads in the clouds, never giving up the hope for more we have in Christ. He illustrates the splendor of our new body and souls to encourage us to see that the prize is worth any cost. As a practical, he pushes us to play the “heaven game” on the way back with others to remind each other the hope we have.

RET: Jon Saunders “Resolutions”

stpweb — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:01:10 +0000

Jon Saunders, the last of the RET speakers, tells us to grow up. Discipleship is not babysitting so we cannot approach it with an “I-deserve” mentality.

“Long for Jesus and you will grow up.”

RET: Paul Poteat “How Do You Avoid This Summer Being a Mountaintop?”

stpweb — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:52:11 +0000

In this RET session, Paul Poteat encourages us to make the most out of our time and our resources in order to avoid spiritual amnesia. STP is not a mountaintop that you climb and then coast down for the rest of the year until next summer. Instead it is a continual fight to battle our compulsion to forget the impact of the gospel on our lives.

RET: Eric Lonergan “Sharing with Family and Friends”

stpweb — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:36:55 +0000

Eric Lonergan explores the dangers of being indifferent or overly passionate in sharing with others after STP. He reminds us that God loves us despite us, not because of us. He encourages us to share with love and with words, letting the gospel bleed out from us and define who we are.

RET: Ken Currie “How (not) to Fall Away From CO”

stpweb — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:32:20 +0000

In the first Return Training talk (RET), Ken Currie, the director of COM, shared on practicals of staying in Christian Community by giving main reasons why people leave. He explains how our culture tends to value individualistic tendencies, but he defends the value of community from a biblical perspective.
Then he encourage us to commit to three P’s: A Purpose, A Person, A Process.

TET: Steve Discher “Suffering”

stpweb — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:49:20 +0000

What is the purpose of suffering? How does God use suffering in a Christian’s life?

“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,” (1 Peter 3:14-15).

Steve Discher attempts formulate a framework for suffering and how it points to Christ.

TET: Steve Discher “The Cost of Vulnerability”

stpweb — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:43:17 +0000

“That at all costs, we would be open to each other in the context of community, because of the gospel of Christ.”

Steve Discher shares on how we are made to be in community and encourages us to live in the light, to be accountable to each other in our successes and our failures seeing what Christ has done in us.

TET: Steve Discher “The Cost of Discipleship”

stpweb — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:51:44 +0000

“Discipleship is our mission.”

Steve Discher talks on the significance of discipleship in the pursuit of Christ, both for disciples and for leaders.

TET: Andrew Knight “The Cost of the World”

stpweb — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 22:24:59 +0000

Andrew Knight came down with the CCP team and shared on the significance of missions as a calling and as a lifestyle for Christians. How do we become global Christians? How can we go out and love others in the world.

“If not you, who? If not now, when?”

TET: Matt & Lisa Reagan “The Cost of True Love part 2″

stpweb — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:49:26 +0000

In the second part of their relationships talk Matt and Lisa Reagan focus giving gospel-centered answers to practical questions such as: “How important is physical attraction?” “How do I know he/she is the one?” “How do I guard my heart?”

(split up into “part 2a” and “part 2b”)

TET: Matt & Lisa Reagan “The Cost of True Love -part 1″

stpweb — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:23:10 +0000

Over the period of two days, Matt and Lisa Reagan share on the struggles and joys of friendship, dating, and marriage based on their experiences.

TET: Matt Reagan “The Cost of Your Self”

stpweb — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:14:03 +0000

“Jesus comes and says, ‘You don’t have to fight, you don’t have to try, you don’t have to keep struggling… It’s over. I did it for you. You can be done now. Just come, be part of my kingdom and enjoy everything, I give you everything….’”

Matt Reagan borrows imagery from the film Alice in Wonderland (2010), comparing our self to the Red Queen in rebellion against the White Queen, Christ. In doing so he reminds us to whom our life belongs and the battle against our flesh.

TET: Matt Reagan “The Cost of Your Freedom”

stpweb — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:13:14 +0000

Matt Reagan shares on “the most important thing”, that is the joy we have in our salvation through Christ which is more worthy than any costs.

TET Matt Reagan “The God Who Pays Costs”

stpweb — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:45:49 +0000

In his second theme talk, Matt Reagan talks about the god who sent His Son to pay the cost of our sins. “He gives, you take. End of story.”

TET- Matt Reagan “At All Costs”

stpweb — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:41:04 +0000

The first talk heading off STP2010. Matt Reagan opens by explaining what our theme “At All Costs” really means.