Calvary Hot Springs

Exalting Christ Through the Ministry of the Word

Journal

Worship Together, June 28

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Considering the turmoil and societal unrest of the world around us, grasping and affirming the church’s calling and purpose is extremely important. Our calling is a calling from our God  out of the world to Himself, for His glory. Of all the things that we may do to serve in this world; to minister to the needy, to comfort the sorrowful, to feed the hungry, pursue justice… of all the things that we may do to serve in this world, we must always keep at the forefront God’s calling to preach the gospel. Not just to “show” it, but to preach it. Considering that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, it is foolish to believe that serving has any significant value if the gospel is neglected. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36

Each time we gather, we rehearse the gospel. That is the good news that not only delivers us from God’s wrath, but enables us to benefits of being children of God. The gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s provision for all things that pertain to life and godliness. May the gospel never get old to you as you worship in song, in prayer and in the study and preaching of God’s Word.

Worship in Music

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:6–7 

Here is YouTube play list you might want to sing with…

Worship in Bible Study

Morning Study at 8:30

We’re jumping into Romans 8 on Sunday! You would benefit from reading and pondering ahead of time.

Some of you may have noticed some audio problems last week. I think I know how to fix it this time. (By the way, don’t hesitate to speak up if that happens again)

Looking forward to Sunday!

If you’d like to join us in this study, please let us know and we’ll send you the link.

We have posted the recordings of our weekly Zoom meetings on our YouTube channel. Be encouraged, if you have not been able to attend, to give each a listen.

Worship in Preaching

Take THIS LINK to our YouTube Channel from where you can select this morning’s message, “Fear and Serve the Lord in Sincerity and Faithfulness.” The video will be available at 6:00 this morning. 

Have your Bible open to Joshua 24

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel. This will keep you updated when we post new videos.

You can also access the audio and/or video files from our website: https://calvaryhs.org/resources/teachings/

Worship in Giving

Giving the firstfruits of our resources is a genuine form of worship, expressing thanksgiving for God’s blessing and dependance on His provision.

Missionaries are still  being supported and bills are still being to be paid. Here are a few options for giving of your tithes and offerings.

  • Mail a check made to: Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 957, Hot Springs, SD 57747
  • Call Pastor Matt at (605) 890-1428 or Isaac at (805) 602-2990 to arrange to drop a check by the office.
  •  CLICK HERE to give online. It will take you to a secure site where you will be able to pay by CC or eCheck. 

I trust you continue to seek the Lord in the Scriptures each and every day and that you being creative as to how you might minister to one another… albeit from a distance. Continue to pray, which allows us to minister to one another… no matter where we are.

Brothers and sisters… love one another.

Pastor Matt

Introduction to Romans

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“Romans Chapter-By-Chapter” Series

If you were stranded on an island with only one book of the Bible, which book would you choose? 

This question is intentionally difficult because Christians have been given a book wherein ALL of it is said to be necessary and profitable (2 Tim. 3:15-16), however many Christians, if they HAD to choose, would pick the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. Why? Because the book of Romans is unsurpassed in explaining the gospel of Jesus Christ. It expands on critical doctrines like justification by faith, the righteousness of God, and grace vs. works in more detail than any other book of the Bible.

This article begins a series that I am planning to write that will cover Romans chapter-by-chapter. This series serves a different purpose than verse-by-verse teaching. Verse-by-verse study is vital for mining the riches of God’s Word, but this “Romans Chapter-By-Chapter” series is intended to get snapshots of key truths throughout the book. I will attempt to find the key verse that best summarizes each chapter (sometimes I might cheat a little and do two posts covering two verses) and briefly explain the argument that is being made.

So, if a summary is the goal, then what about the whole book? What does a snapshot of the entire book of Romans look like?

Romans is an epistle (letter) so we have to notice the author, audience, and purpose of the letter. Instead of imagining our snapshot of Romans, let’s let God’s Word tell us what it is!

The author is given in the first word of the book, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). This is the same Paul (formerly Saul) who as a zealous, religious Jew had persecuted and murdered Christians (Acts 9:1) until Christ dramatically intervened, changed him, and gave him a mission “to carry my [Jesus’] name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Before he was saved, Paul was extensively educated in the Old Testament law (Acts 22:3). When he realized that Jesus was the Messiah that the Old Testament promised (Acts 9:22) his eyes were opened to the riches of the Old Testament. The book of Romans is filled with quotes and illusions to the Old Testament that Paul uses to build and substantiate his writing. God took a violent, educated man who was steeped in false religion and turned him into the greatest missionary for Christ that the world has ever seen.

The audience is recorded as “All those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). Clearly these folks were Roman believers who made up the Church in the imperial capitol city. Paul had never been to Rome (Romans 1:13) but he loved those saints and was passionate about visiting them and preaching the gospel to them (Romans 1:15). It is God who calls a person to be a Christian and each one is loved by God! If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then Romans is for you! And, by the way, it is for you to share.

The purpose of the letter is given in two places using parallel sentences, Romans 1:5 and Romans 16:26-27. Romans 1:5 combines the purpose for the book with Paul’s own life purpose as an apostle, “To bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.” Romans 16:26-27 closes the book with echoes of chapter 1, “[The mystery] has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith – to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ.” Notice three things about these statements. First, the emphasis on “all nations.”  Before Christ, God had worked primarily with the Jewish people, however, Jesus came with the mission of redeeming people from every nation and ethnicity in the entire world (John 10:16, John 11:51-52, Revelation 5:9). His “Great Commission” to the disciples, and by extension all believers, was to “Make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Among the Apostles, Peter primarily ministered to Jews while Paul aggressively expanded his mission to reach gentiles from all over the map (Acts 13:47, Romans 15:18-19). This theme of God throwing open the gates of the gospel to all nations is a vital theme to notice throughout the book of Romans. Many of the theological arguments that Paul makes are intertwined with the discussion about Jews and Gentiles and how they relate to God.

Second, notice the phrase “obedience of faith” in both verses. In that phrase we get a glimpse that the operating principle in Romans is “faith.” Faith, in contrast to law and works, is the principle by which God saves sinners. However, Paul writes with the intention to “bring about the obedience of faith.” Remember, he is primarily writing to people who are already believers, so he has the goal of bringing about further maturity in the faith and the obedience to God that corresponds to faith. He wants believers to obey God more and more. This purpose is intertwined with Jesus’ Great Commission mentioned above. God’s people are not only to proclaim good news throughout the world as they make disciples, but the discipleship process moves forward “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20). The gospel of Jesus Christ is the critical message by which people are saved, but it is also the message that empowers, motivates, and strengthens believers to obey and glorify God.

Third, both passages refer to to the glory of God as the ultimate purpose for spreading the gospel and obeying God. Romans 1:5 uses the phrase, “for the sake of his name” and Romans 16:27 says, “to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ.” This theme is the most important theme in the universe! It means that the reason why Paul wrote and taught, or why any Christian preaches truth and walks in obedience, is not for moral self-improvement, societal gain, or even for escape from eternal fire. God saves and changes people for the exaltation of His own glory and fame. Jesus Christ is God and deserves to be praised! “All things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). The manner in which God saves people, the character and love that He displays, and the manner in which he frees people from sin is all designed for His great glory. 

Romans is a book about the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

     It is about that gospel going to all nations.

         It is about that gospel going to all nations to make them obedient through faith.

            It is about that gospel going to all nations to make them obedient through faith for God’s glory!

I hope you’ll follow along on our journey through this great book. God still uses it to change lives, and I believe He can use it to transform you!

Imminent Judgment & The Gospel

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Thinking Out Loud

Understanding the book of Joshua requires the understanding that while the Lord fulfilled His promises to His people, He was concurrently fulfilling His righteous judgment upon the Canaanites. Both sides of the spectrum spectacularly exhibits God’s glory. His glory is demonstrated in His care for His people, and His glory is demonstrated in His judgment on the idolatrous people of the land. Honestly, I have never read or studied the book of Joshua and come away from it with the somberness I have in our current study on Sunday mornings. 

Of course, God is patient. Over 400 years earlier, He gave time for the iniquity of the Amorites to be complete (Gen. 15:16). But the time had come and it was clear that His wrath would not be thwarted. He commanded Israel that they were to utterly destroy them… make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. They were to devote them to complete destruction (Deut. 7:1-5). That phrase, devote to destruction is used six times in the book of Joshua, indicating an offering satisfying God’s wrath. The conquest of Jericho gives a snapshot of God’s judgment. There, they utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword (6:21). 

The truth is, it is much too easy to glance at such passages as though they describe the latest Netflix movie thriller. It’s so… sterile. But these are real life, flesh and blood people. People just like you and me pounding out a daily living. These are just like your friends and loved ones who are without Christ. These are people who not only faced God’s judgment in the physical realm, but who are facing His eternal wrath even until today.

The very fact that God’s holiness justifies and demands his righteous judgment on unbelieving mankind makes the entire matter quite sobering. The Lord IS patient… not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance… BUT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME! (2 Pet. 3:9-10). There is a day of reckoning when God’s righteous judgment will come. Ponder on that for a bit!

If you know Christ, you know what makes the gospel such good news is that of His own volition, God extended His mercy toward you. Through Jesus’ sacrificial work for redemption, your sin has been forgiven and you have been reconciled to God. But many have not! They remain at enmity with God (Rom. 8:5-8). Any and all who are outside of Christ will justifiably face the fierce wrath of God. This includes real, flesh and blood people, many whom we know. But until He returns, there is still opportunity for men to turn to Christ.

Is it any wonder the Prophet Isaiah (and Paul) said, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15)

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? …So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom. 10:13–17)

I wonder if it shouldn’t be… that each time we, as true followers of Christ rejoice in the glorious gospel of Christ that we are also soberly reminded of God’s pending judgment to come… that the world’s only hope is the gospel… and that we are the Lord’s chosen means to proclaimed it.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Meet Abi Johnson

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putting names to faces

Abi Johnson came to Hot Springs in 2016 to attend Cornerstone Bible Institute and graduated in 2019. Through the years prior, Abi attended Calvary with her family when visiting Hot Springs, and so it became her church home when moving here. Abi wasted no time getting involved in the ministry of Calvary and has served leading Little Lambs, participating on music teams, is learning to run the sound booth and is currently the friendly face you see when joining us on Sunday mornings.

Abi is a para-professional in the elementary school Resource Room, tutoring kids in the things like reading, writing and math. She also works at Wooly’s during the summer months, along with several other part time work. 

On Saturday, September 5, Abi will marry Luke Stanley and they will begin a new life together. Their wedding announcement with the details is on the bulletin board. 

Abi has and will be helping with events sponsored by Freedom’s Journey and A21 and desires to work towards more direct involvement in the anti-human trafficking movement with various organizations.

The lack of assurance regarding her salvation began when Abi was about 6 years old. At that time, after discussing her fears with her mom, she “prayed the prayer.” How much of the gospel she grasped at the time is unclear, but God was faithful to continue to draw her to Himself through the teaching of His Word. “I am confident,” she states, “in Christ’s finished work on the cross and His resurrection. His blood has redeemed me and He keeps me as His own. Praise God!”

Worship Together, June 21

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Recording the events in the first church, Dr. Luke tells us that all who believed were together and had all things in common (Acts 2:44). Many of these were from out of town and perhaps were strangers to one another… before meeting Christ (Acts 2:5-11). This is one of the numerous things that make the church so unique from every other association, club or social structure. The common bond between the saints is our bond to Christ. And although it would be preferable that we all be together, the fact remains, we are one in Christ.

Whether at home or at the church facilities, let’s be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3) by setting our sights on Christ in worship and in all of life.

Take some time this morning (if not every morning) to pause in worship through the God’s revealed Word, take your brothers and sisters before the Lord in prayer, and then perhaps give one or two of them a call, just to say hi and to make contact.

Worship in Music

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:6–7 

Here is YouTube play list you might want to sing with…

Worship in Bible Study

Morning Study at 8:30

Looking forward to working through Romans chapter 7 this morning. Have your Bibles open and I’ll see you then!

You are welcome to join us in person at the church. If you prefer to join us via Zoom, please contact Isaac for the details.

We have posted the recordings of our weekly Zoom meetings on our YouTube channel. Be encouraged, if you have not been able to attend, to give each a listen.

Worship in Preaching

Take THIS LINK to our YouTube Channel from where you can select this morning’s message, “Because the Lord is Faithful.” The video will be available at 6:00 this morning. 

Have your Bible open to Joshua 23

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel. This will keep you updated when we post new videos.

You can also access the audio and/or video files from our website HERE.

Worship in Giving

Giving the firstfruits of our resources is a genuine form of worship, expressing thanksgiving for God’s blessing and dependance on His provision.

Missionaries are still  being supported and bills are still being to be paid. Here are a few options for giving of your tithes and offerings.

  • Mail a check made to: Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 957, Hot Springs, SD 57747
  • Call Pastor Matt at (605) 890-1428 or Isaac at (805) 602-2990 to arrange to drop a check by the office.
  • Click HERE to give online. It will take you to a secure site where you will be able to pay by CC or eCheck. 

I trust you continue to seek the Lord in the Scriptures each and every day and that you being creative as to how you might minister to one another… albeit from a distance. Continue to pray, which allows us to minister to one another… no matter where we are.

Brothers and sisters… love one another.

Pastor Matt

Meet Missy Pranke

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putting names to faces…

This is Melissa “Missy” Pranke. She moved to Hot Springs in August of 2015, and this past spring moved to White Clay, NE. Missy serves as a missionary with International Messengers on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and has enjoyed being a part of the body at Calvary since 2018.

Missy was blessed to be raised in a Christian home in MN, and is the oldest of four children. She grew up hearing God’s Word on a regular basis, and “said the prayer” at age seven. It wasn’t until middle school, however, that she began to desire to really know the Lord. After hearing a call to repentance from a stranger sharing the Gospel, she asked God to forgive her of her sins and trusted in the finished work of Christ to save her at age thirteen. 

Throughout high school Missy was involved in short term missions trips and began to feel God calling her into ministry long-term.

In 2012 Missy graduated from the Pranke Home School, then spent the next three years in two vocational ministry internships, working in a manufacturing plant, as well as being a wilderness guide for an adventure ministry program. 

In 2015, Missy joined International Messengers. She attended their four-month training program in Montana, then raised support and moved to South Dakota. 

Her primary ministry focus on the reservation is Bible study with a group of 15-20 young people, boys and girls, with whom she has come to know on a deep level over the past five years. Currently she is also foster parenting Rielly (almost 13), and growing a big vegetable garden.”

Pray for Revival

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Thinking Out Loud

Not long ago, a brother with whom I was praying, to my surprise began to pray for a revival in America. To my shame, it had never occurred to me to do so. It just seemed rather futile at the time. However, my heart was pricked and I have not been able to put that idea out of my mind ever since. Is it right, or is it realistic to pray for revival in the United States? Have we gone beyond the point of no return? Is it too late to expect God to do a mighty work in our midst? The following are some of my thoughts on the matter. I pray that it will provoke you, not only to think about your prayer for our nation, but that it will provoke you to in fact, pray.

First off, let’s establish the obvious, we are not God! Therefore, we do not know if the US has gone beyond the point of no return, therefore we do not know whether it is too late to expect God to do a mighty work in our midst. After all, the city of Nineveh was spared God’s destruction, in spite of Jonah’s reluctance (read Jonah 4:2). Or consider the account of David praying for the life of his young child whom the Lord afflicted. It teaches us that until the Lord brings a matter to a close, we can and ought to pray for Him to intervene (2 Samuel 12:15-23). It is fair to say that we must pray for our nation and its leaders until the Lord returns.

Second, if we are to pray for revival, we do well to consider what exactly revival is, and what it would look like in America and in your own life? If your idea of revival is some sort of utopia where everyone will be at peace with one another, you’re sadly mistaken. Universal peace will take place only when the Prince of Peace sits upon His throne for a thousand years. Both biblical and secular history reveal that some of the greatest revivals have taken place in the midst of persecution against God’s people. Consider the fact that one-third of Israel will be saved in the midst of the tribulation (Romans 11:26; Zechariah 13:8). Or that the early church continued to grow even as it was scattered because of persecution (Acts 8:1-8).

Because revival is that which takes place in the hearts of God’s own, God normally takes great pains to separate the goats from the sheep, often through suffering. Even the “go to” passage for revival, 2 Chronicles 7:14, is in the context of God’s judgment on the land and on His people. Revival is God’s work in the life of His people calling them to holiness.

So although revival is desirable for the sake of God’s glory, be well aware that when it comes it may in fact cost you everything… leaving you with nothing… but Jesus.

Finally, because revival is best applied to God’s people, a more accurate prayer for the nation might be for enlightenment (use whatever word you’d like). But for genuine change to take place in the US, there must be a mighty work of God by His Spirit to illumine the eyes of the lost. Pray that men and women might be saved either one at a time or en masse. However, God uses the proclamation of the gospel to bring people to Himself (Romans 10:14-15). So a more biblical understanding and prayer for our nation would be, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37–38. And then, having prayed for this, know that YOU are the laborers God has sent into the harvest.

It IS right to pray for revival… and it IS right to pray for enlightenment. But know that praying for revival and enlightenment is not merely a nice sentiment. Looking for the Lord to work in our nation entails acknowledgment and willingness for God to begin with you. It is knowing full well, that if revival and enlightenment is to ever take place in the United States of America, it must begin in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17-19). It must begin with… you.

Soli Deo Gloria!

My Ugly, Selfish Self… and the Gospel

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Thinking Out Loud

So our son and his family just moved to Hot Springs and are living with us until they find a place to live. It has been a joy beyond what Kellie or I ever imagined, and for this we thank the Lord. It’s been a few years since we’ve had young children in our home (three BOYS five years old and younger), so the “energy” they have has been a surprise. A pleasant surprise. I’m so thankful for parents who love their boys enough to lovingly and wisely deal with each drama with grace. It truly is amazing.

Observing the boys however, has been a bit revealing of my own heart and the bent of my flesh. It’s like looking in a mirror. At their age, these young men haven’t learned the “sophistication” of hiding their fleshly desires and motives like their Pops has. There is no facade. Their expectations, demands and motives are laid out in the open for all to see. And in seeing, I see my own heart, and it is both indicting and encouraging… because of Jesus. 

PLEASE KNOW that these boys are sweet boys who are well mannered and a joy to be around. The things I note below are realities, not just of little boys but rather of the human heart. Here are ten things regarding my sinful self which I am reminded…

  1. I tend to live my life as though the world revolves around me. Everyone and every thing is secondary to my needs.
  2. When I am hurt, the hurt doesn’t begin to feel better until I let others around me know how bad it hurts.
  3. I don’t like being told what to do… by anyone. Period!
  4. It seems easier to blame something or someone else than it is to take personal responsibility.
  5. Even though it’d be easier just to obey, resisting, procrastinating, complaining and excusing is my usual course of action.
  6. I operate on the premise that I know exactly how close to the line I can get before being chastened. Sometimes I’m wrong.
  7. Sometimes I behave differently when I think no one is watching.
  8. The world is a wonderland when everything is going my way.
  9. I have the uncanny ability to be selective with my hearing.
  10. I so much need Jesus!

The glorious truth is, the gospel not only saves us from eternal wrath to come, the gospel is in the process of saving us daily from the stronghold that sin has on us right now. None of us have yet attained behavioral holiness, but thanks be to God that His patience and grace sustains us and continues to sanctify us by His Spirit through His Word. 

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Soli Deo Gloria!