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Join host, Tuck Choate, and executive pastor, Bennett Holloway, as they discuss Temple Church's Sunday sermons in more detail, explore everyday application of biblical truths, and answer listener questions - all to help you strengthen you in your spiritual walk. Expect meaningful conversations that will encourage you in your faith journey.
Tuck Choate 0:08
Welcome temple family and friends, we're so glad to have you joining us for another episode of Temple talk. This podcast aims to engage our faith community through thoughtful biblical discussions centered on God's word. Our goal is to explore Scripture together to discover the wisdom that has for our lives. In this podcast, we'll be diving deep into God's truths and discussing how they impact our daily living. We're eager to unpack the riches of the Bible with you all our extended church family. And now here's why Welcome to family and friends to our first episode of Temple talk. I'm Chuck Choate, your host and joined as always by our executive pastor, Bennett Holloway,
Bennett Holloway 0:46
it is so exciting to be here. And to do this and to finally do this. I think it's been something that's been on our heart as a church for a while. But talk until you stepped in. And you really said, Let me bear the weight of this and get us across the starting line. It's been something that I'm excited to see and see what the Lord does through it.
Tuck Choate 1:07
Am too. So I know you're excited about this. As we are kicking off this first episode, could you share your your vision? What would you like this podcast to look like?
Bennett Holloway 1:18
Well, I think some of the things that we had talked about, in terms of what the Lord put on our heart is some of the stuff that you had in that first episode zero. And so if you guys haven't listened to that, I think that's a good thing to start with, to go back and hear that because a deep, deep desire for us is to give supplemental information and dialogue, and maybe even perspective throughout your week as a resource that you can use that point back to the sermon that we had on Sunday point back to other sermons that we may have had throughout the week, or even encouraged testimonies. But actually, the desire is that it's a tool that the Lord uses to help each of us in the process of sanctification of discipleship to look more like Christ. And so this is one of those things that I think the Lord will use to do that.
Tuck Choate 2:12
So speaking of the Sunday sermon, we just talked about revival and restoration for the Israelites from Nehemiah eight, for eight chapters. Now the Israelites have been working and striving towards this revival and struggling along the way. Do you feel like Temple has been working towards a revival of our own? And if so, are we getting close to it?
Bennett Holloway 2:34
Is there is there hope? So we have to we have to just shine a little bit of light on context. Why are we going through Nehemiah? Why is a man named Dr. Ewart leading us through this study? And so Dr. Ewart is intentional interim pastor, our Senior Pastor stepped down in October of last year, we brought Dr. Ewart in, in February of this year. And so he has been guiding us through a process, really that is restoration. That prayerfully points towards revival and sets us up to better understand who we are, and what God's wanting to do through his church in Newbern. And so that's why we're studying Nehemiah. And so when you ask this question, as we're learning as the Israelites work through revival and restoration, are there parallels? Yes. Because purpose, yes, intentionally, because some something Dr. You were doing is he's driving us towards the self assessment as to why we are where we are. And honestly, if any of us if any church sat down and really walked through this process, I think every single one of us, or every single church would come up with answers as to things that need to change, and things that must change, things that need to be stopped, or things that need to be began to work towards being a more Christ centered church. And so when I think about restoration, and I think about them, rebuilding the walls, and I think about even an Haggai that parallels that story than rebuilding the temple, as we are in that same process, rebuilding the temple ourselves, that continues to drive us to think through what is our role in the restoration of Temple Church. And I think the very back end of that is revival that we see in the old testament to the different cities that are that turned to God or the Israelites whenever they make a choice to repent. And we see revival even in early church history in America, early American history, as we've seen revival take place. A lot of it often comes to a moment when a concentrated group of people clothed and bathed in prayer are led to an honest spirit led repentance and recommitment. And the revival starts as an individual, and then overflows into the community. And so when to answer the question, Are we close? Is there hope, restoration? Yes, a lot of the really hard work has already been put in. Now we're adjusting and implementing. And then we have to be disciplined and continuing this process regularly, habitually assessing how we're doing, why we are where we are, and if we need to start and stop. But then on the other side, as personal individuals, we need to continue to first, seek for the Lord to humble us as individuals, and ask for him to reveal anything that we need to repent from any sin, that we're putting above him any sin that we don't see, rightly, we don't see as he sees, and allow Him to fill us with this Holy Spirit, so that we may see it rightly, and then flee from it. And so when people do that, we will see revival, and so to answer is their hope. Yes. Is this happening? Yes, I think it is happening. You see people turning and shifting heart disposition towards church, or a burden for the lost, or even a burden for a ministries or, or things to be started and launched, that God has been has been birthing inside of his people as they're drawn close to him. These are all things that I see as indicators, symptoms, even of inevitable revival, as we continue to stroke the inverse, and allow that flame to build to be moved by the Holy Spirit led by the Father to glorify Jesus Christ. So yeah, I think that the study of Nehemiah perfectly parallels the rebuilding of a church that is going through a tough season. But it also perfectly parallels the need for people that continue to surrender and submit to the Lord and to assess oneself as often as possible.
Tuck Choate 7:14
Yeah, and I think that's really important. What you're talking about is that this revival starts at the personal individual level, because so often, it's so easy to see, things are happening in the church or a pastor leaves, and you say, The church needs to fix that, right. And so you're saying, instead, individually, we need to look at ourselves and say, What can I do? What sin is holding me back? Or, and you're seeing that happen?
Bennett Holloway 7:42
Yeah, I mean, we see it happen. And the main areas that I'm talking about is through leadership, a lot of the leaders and the staff, and through deacons and men and women, even through some of our small group, these people that are coming together, and really uniting under the grace of God, and the desire to pursue him wholeheartedly to, to live a life that He has for us to live today, empowered by him and looking like him. And so that is what gives me hope. And that is what excites me about what he's doing. Because I see that all throughout our church, I do.
Tuck Choate 8:20
Dr. You're mentioned that, as they were reading through the law, a lot of the people were confronted with their own sin, and were really convicted by it. And and they mourned, and they wept in that and he said, Don't mourn. So how does that happen with us practically where we take that that morning, that confronting of our own sin, and turn it into something better for us?
Bennett Holloway 8:48
Right, so So what do you speak into is in Nehemiah eight as they sit, and Ezra just reads through the law. And if you go back and listen to your message, you'll hear him talk about how long they had church, and he would read for four to five hours. And and then inevitably, what would happen is, these leaders that were all around him, the word of God that was read aloud, would pierce their hearts and convict them of sin. And they would they would mourn over their sin because they would see it the way that the Lord does. And that's transformative. And so, okay, there's a couple of things we got to ask ourselves, right? One do we recognize? How do we see the word of God? Do we recognize it as his perfect word? Do we have an expectation when we open it, for the Holy Spirit, to breathe life into it to reveal to us things that we need to repent from to reveal the character, the nature of God that we've forgotten to reveal lies that we're believing or things we've exceeded? arrogance that really aren't true. But we're projecting under our circumstances right? Are we are we a people that rightly see the word of God, and then therefore, aren't surprised when we're transformed by merely opening it and reading it. Then when we saw these leaders with Nehemiah, and Ezra as we saw them, this be driven to a mourning state over their sin. I think I think it's beautiful. And I think it's an eye opener for us on how often we go through those motions of just systematically doing Western Christian life where we really have diluted the power of the word. And we haven't we've taken it off of its authority, that it that it truly is. And we've allowed it to be something that's just supplemental, but not our daily bread. We've allowed it to be something that we want to try to do for something we have to depend on. And so when the people inevitably came to that point, I thought it was so encouraging. So I've got a question for you. When, when is the last time for you, you've had some of that revelatory moment of, of reading the Word, and then actually seeing something rightly, whether that be conviction or hand, the love of the Father, or grace or forgiveness, you know, it can be any of these things. But But when is a time when you mourn or compelled to shift your perspective through the Word?
Tuck Choate 11:41
I'd say pretty recently, we were we were talking in our small group, about what would your life looked at all look like if you really just opened your life to Christ and let him fill you instead of us filling our own time. And I said, it would look really busy. Because I'm looking around and my life right now. And I've joined the praise team recently, my wife has been working in the coffee shop recently, we are starting a small group for young adults college age. We've started the podcast in the last week or so. And we've been looking at our calendars. And we've stopped using the word busy, because busy has a negative connotation to it. And we've started saying that our life is becoming full. And I think that has a good connotation to it. Because when you are filled with good things, your life is good. I mean, we have our family or our friends here, our church family, and I have never been more full of joy and delight and God than working through and studying what He has planned for myself and for others through me.
Bennett Holloway 12:59
That's good. Yeah, there's the man. I think that there's something so special when you're in a season where he is moving mightily through you and your wife in many different ways, and consistently reminding you of his faithfulness, and there's goodness of his character as Nietzsche. Something for me. I was trying to remember back, I went to DC a year ago. And, and out there. There's, there's a praise tent. And the tent does worship 24/7. It's always open. I think it's called David's tent, something like that. I'll look it up and check it out. But so I was walking the Capitol, I was praying. It was one afternoon, I was walking it and I was praying. And I came across the tent. I didn't really know what it was. And so I walked in, and I heard worship music, and I saw a couple people praying. And and that was really interesting to me. And I came to this large old Bible. And I read a sign that said, you mark where you've ended, and you've marked what you've read. But we're reading through Scripture. So if you want to start start with the last person finished, and so I jumped in. And I'm standing there and now I'm alone. So I spent some time praying and worshiping and then it's just me so I think my singing may have scared everyone off, but I found myself at the Bible. And they told me to read out loud the signed it. And so I start reading. And I started reading the vision of Daniel and and as I was reading his prophetic vision of the coming of Christ, I started I started weeping over the scripture, and I started I was remainded and I was challenged, and I was convicted. And I was I was realigned with a perspective that I believe was kingdom and eternal. And that was a incredibly important moment for me that I always remember walking in just reading the Word, being shocked to the core of passages I've read before. But in that moment, the Lord wanted to minister to me in a specific way. And so what I, what I just would encourage us towards is, is recognizing what the Word of God actually it is, it is the divine inspired, perfect inerrant Word of God, it was it was penned by man. But it was written by God. And so something that I think is significantly important is what is your perspective of it when you read it, and if you don't see it rightly, then it will, it'll probably lack a potency in your life and an impact in your life. And it will be a tool that the Holy Spirit wouldn't be able to use. He can he can do anything but but you have a higher probability of rightly understanding the word and recognizing its impact on your life is transformative impact when we understand it by him. And so. And so that's something that I think is beautiful about an Nehemiah as they were sitting there wrestling with, you know, the word and then feeling burdened for their sin. Ultimately, they ended up seeing it the way that God sees their sin. And their response to that was, you know, inevitable repentance. And so that's something that I love about what Dr. You preached on.
Tuck Choate 16:46
One of the things that really struck me while you were you're talking is hearing it kind of like for the first time, and I think God speaks to us a lot of times what we need in that moment, like you said, even though we've read it before, for these Israelites that he was talking to, I think it was the first time that they had seen the law at or heard it read. And he was talking about how special it is to have a translation into your own heart language. And I think that in America, a lot of times we get desensitized because we have copies everywhere in every translation that you could ask for, from a rap version to something that's so stuffy, you can hardly understand it, how to how do we as Americans get past that desensitization to actually let it affect us?
Bennett Holloway 17:44
Yeah, I think I think that's, I think the only way you can cut through all of it is rightly seeing it, understanding its origin, and recognizing its impact that it can have in your life. I think that I think that's going to impact the type of versions that you've read, I think it's always important to sit down and inspect what versions you read. Because all of these are interpretations of original languages, right? Hebrew and Greek are the primaries, but Aramaic isn't truly Old Testament books. And so as you as you read it, it's there's a large spectrum as of translations, and I do believe some translations get things wrong. And so as you sit in the translations that are good, and that are healthy, understanding what's word for word versus passage, or thought by thought, in terms of interpreting these languages into our English, I think that's very important. But on the note of how do we become more aware of it, my, the best way for me is to think through those that have given their lives to give us the Bible that's been interpreted. So if you think through the men and the women that died for the sake of bringing the Bible into English, and if you study those martyrs, I think that there will be a new awareness to the value of the book that we have. They also I would, I would challenge you to read it. And as we read it, the Holy Spirit will use it in a transformative way. And hopefully, he will continue to glorify Jesus through the scriptures that will lead our lives to be transformed. And so as we allow this tool that God's given us to give us a glimpse of His will, His character, His perfection. I think it will grow in the impact that it has on you. So I'd say be intentional about the translation. Study some history of the people that have given their lives in even martyrdom for the sake of interpreting it into English itself. And then also allow the Lord to use it. And it will grow in, in its beauty as your life goes on. Do you
Tuck Choate 20:16
think that there is a special, something that happens reading it aloud, because you mentioned in DC, you read it aloud. And they had a special effect on you. Dr. Ewart mentioned that the Ezra was reading it aloud for the people, and then had some leaders, kind of talking them through the specifics as well, making sure that everyone understood, do you think that there's something special about reading aloud versus reading to yourself?
Bennett Holloway 20:45
I think that there are nature, there are aspects of our relationship with God, that can be incredibly impactful in community. I think that, that the fact of just like reading it out loud, I don't think there's nothing there's anything very special about that. But reading it in community and dialoguing about the word and sharing what the God is doing. I think that those moments, I think that is a spiritual discipline. I think it's a discipline to sit under the teaching of the Word of God, to orally process and discuss and to navigate what it means for me, and what it means for us, and questions that we have. So I wouldn't say that there is something a unique equation to where it's just better if you read it out loud. But I do think that reading it out loud, and discussing it in the open is a beautiful way that the Lord can use it to really shape us to look more like him.
Tuck Choate 21:52
Okay, so talking about being in community. Dr. You were mentioned that last week, we kicked off a new season of small groups, he said we had record numbers of people signing up for the small groups. I know you have a passion for small groups, you've mentioned it many times. And I've heard people tell me through the years that they can do church on their own, they can study they don't need a group. Would you fight against that?
Bennett Holloway 22:22
Yes, I think I think that, again, I think that there is something communal about relationship with God, I would say even about existing. There's something about our nature, that needs community that needs community with the Father, that needs community with others. And I would argue that if if someone believes that they're capable of having a healthy growing personal relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and look like Christ as a disciple of Christ, but not share Christ in community, then then I don't see the Great Commission being fulfilled, I don't really understand what discipleship looks like. There are some things that we need for other people to call out in us. There are some things we need other people to help share that burden or that stress alongside us. There are times where we need to be used in our spiritual gifting to edify the church. And so if we don't think we need the church, then we don't think we need the very thing that Jesus Christ launched, and began and prayed for the unity of at the end of his life. So there's a there's a, there's a disconnect. Does that mean every single church does church rightly? No, no, we mess this thing up for 1000s of years, we've done things, you know, there's many churches that don't do it, right. And there's a lot of ways we need, which is why we need to consistently habitually assess, we need to continue to say, why are we doing what we're doing? What do we need to stop? What do we need to begin? Are we answering the questions? Are we caring for his people? are we expanding knowledge, saving knowledge, of grace? Are we seeing people come to know Christ? Is our context locally, being transformed due to our presence as a church? Like what are we doing? These are all the questions that we're asking, right? And then are we intentionally equipping and sending people to do the same thing around the world? For x one, eight, and are we depending on the Holy Spirit, to see him move in power in our town, to the ends of the earth? And so these are all questions that healthy churches have to be asking, as we appropriately handle the Word of God and encourage people in their personal relationships with Christ towards a discipleship model that really multiplies believers. And so that's a little soapbox on that. But on the other end of small groups, there's just so much joy that can come out of community, with people. And I think that what, what is likely going to be missed. If the person is trying to go through life, not in a small group, what's going to be missed really, is one, I don't think they are able to use their spiritual gifting. Right? If they're aware of their gifting, and the way the Holy Spirit desires to move through them to equip to edify the church. I know that's an Ephesians, four model. I don't see that being done in them. And that's, that's sad. The other side is, there are people that are missing out on being edified by that person in a powerful way. And so I think that in order for our body to be healthy, each of its members do need to be contributing and working towards the goal, the vision that that church has. So the question is, have you are you at a church where you just don't believe in the vision, right? If you're at a church, where you just don't believe in the mission and the vision of that congregation and what they're desiring to accomplish, then, and that is leading you to not really want to be involved and just attend and leave, then you are missing out significantly, on what it means to be a part of the bride and what the Lord has for you and your life as a believer. And so I would encourage you to find another church, one that you can be sold out to one that you can understand the vision and be able to contribute towards. And it may not be perfect, as long as they teach the Word of God, as they as they teach the true gospel of Jesus Christ. As long as as they're outwardly focused. And you have peace with the way that they're structured, and the way that they operate and make decisions, I would just encourage you to find somewhere to get plugged in. So you can be a part of a small group. Also with our church, our church is big. And so a lot of people come through our doors and leave and and then the I believe that true church cannot be experienced in crowds and multitudes. I think it must be experienced in the smaller by the 12. Or the smaller numbers of people that come together and connect. So if we want to see x to lifestyle of the early church coming to fruition, then then we have to be committed, and start with a small group. And that's the space that I think is the main vehicle that the Lord is wanting to use at our church right now, as we shift into this new vision that we're working towards. So that's a little bit about really my perspective and my convictions and the burden I have for small group ministry. So my wife and I, we lead this. It's kind of the age and range as young adults, but it's married. And we're really what we are homebuilders. So if it's anyone from you know, married to not married, but with children, that is really under the ages of like, 45. That's really where we're at. It's not a singles ministry. It's not a specifically a young adults ministry. But it's really focused on people that are building a home, and really trying to create relationships alongside each other with some wives or older people also speaking into it. And so tuck, you and your wife are in our group. And I've gotten to hear some of your testimony about what small groups has done in your marriage and in your relationship with the church and the Lord. And so I think I would love to hear you kind of share a little bit about how small groups and your view of small groups has impacted really your life.
Tuck Choate 29:14
Yeah, so when we first came to Temple, I remember walking through the doors, being a little overwhelmed. This is one of the largest churches I've been to personally and within the first few minutes, but I think it was you yourself walked up to us. chatted with us said you're joining our small group that's right handed me your phone number on a sticky note. And then within within a few minutes after that your wife walked up and was talking to Chelsea and said you need to join our small group. And it's a way of making a large church smaller to where you can be with the people that you want to live life with. And it has become that small group has become for us our second family completely. We have People in that that small group that have become godparents to our children, we have people there that we will turn to in times of difficulties. When we had pregnancy difficulties, health problems. The small group was the first people that we told. And immediately we were surrounded and prayed over, and it went well. And I think it was God working through our small group and working through us to bring out our children safely and calmly. So we found people to do life with and build those relationships. And they have just surrounded us. And I believe that we've had people that we can surround as well. And then out of that, you know, where we have gotten into a place where we feel comfortable and loved. When you're in that safe kind of a place, you begin to flourish. And my wife and I and our family have flourished to the point where we are now turning around, and instead of saying, What can church do for us, we're now turning and saying, What can we do for our church? How can we create this and other people's lives? So I mentioned that briefly earlier, within the next month, we are starting a young adult, especially college age, small group, so that we can help that age group find people to do life with because there are so many life changes that happened during that time. And that age, that we want church to be able to speak to them, because they're getting spoken to from their friends, their family, their college. And it's not always a positive message that they're hearing, that if we can give them a place a safe space like we had when we came here, I think it can be life changing for people in small groups in general, but especially for the college age. I think it's important that we note, Chelsea and I were talking yesterday, God doesn't call us to be perfect. We look at some of the giants of the Bible of the David and the Saul and all the people that God uses. They are flawed. They are killers, murderers. Tax collectors, and these are the people that God chooses, because he says, I want you to do better. I want you to be part of a community. I want you to love me and follow me as best as you can. And when we have that heart change, and we're working in a community, we will see amazing things come through us.
Bennett Holloway 32:42
Yeah, that's so good. I love it. I love it. And it's almost coming to a point of just recognizing who we are, who we are as individuals, but needing God, and then who we are as a community by all of us need him. None of us are perfect. And there's this there's this, there's this, I guess this levity to that reality to where we don't have to fake it, then we can come straight up with our fears, or doubts or pains or struggles, or addictions, or frustrations or arguments. And if we have that safe place that you describe this beautiful, that safe place to where we can burden that we can share those burdens. I think that's where we get to experience the encouragement that way that we may be forgetting. And so at our church, you know, one of the big things that we first stepped into is, is is who are we, as Kingdom seekers at our church, who are we as men and women that are seeking first the kingdom of God? Then these are seven things that we came up with and, and one and they're all rooted in Scripture. So really, the Lord came up with them but but these are things that really identify us as we worship God, we pray continually. We live by the Bible we shared joyfully we meet to gather that's a lot of what we're talking about right here is this desire to not just hang out but coin in the and fellowship in a way that is both edifying and encouraging. We serve others and we make Jesus known the seven virtues of a kingdom secret, a follower of Jesus Christ, a disciple here at our church, we do these seven things. This is the byproduct of a sold out life to Him. And so my encouragement to listeners or people that may be listened to the message, but really missed the pivotal part of the community that was gathering and not forsaking the gathering, but sitting under the word and and and repenting alongside each other and enjoying and then partying together and celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. Right and there there are practicing these things that were really a celebration of life. And so that's what I love about the story of Nehemiah. And even your story as it was, whenever we step into space is that of obedience may be a little uncomfortable, but in faith in faith, we step out, the Lord will bless it. And there'll be more opportunities to celebrate, and potentially even more ministry that will be birthed through it, as he continues to move, and lead. And so that's an aspect of your story and, and how that directly aligns with our church, with where we're heading, and where we're where we've been. And I believe there are many people that really can testify the same way that you just did.
Tuck Choate 35:47
I do want to call out, because I think it's important to give some praise where praise is due. I did note during the sermon that Dr. You were brought out that the leaders of the church, he brought up with him, the leaders of the congregation, and they realized that they needed to make a change, and they were studying on their own, and finding the places where they could make beneficial changes. I know that you and Dr. Yu, er have been leading the staff here through a lot of different studies and a lot of changes. Can you share any of those with us? Yeah,
Bennett Holloway 36:25
I think that big picture is, we start with every single thing in the mirror. So yes, we acknowledge that the adjustments that we need to make, we know the problems that we do have sometimes we don't know the problems. And we understand later that problems are there. But big picture is it always starts with a personal assessment, and a really a self spending time with the Lord, for him to reveal the spaces that aren't completely surrendered to Him. So our desire for staff and for leadership of our church is to start dependent on prayer. And so our prayer lines have got to be realigned, we need to be surrendered. We need to we need to become dependent on prayer, and ask big things for him to do in our lives. As we go through. And as we start really assessing where we're at as individuals in these different lanes that we can see through Acts chapter two, that describe disciples of the early church. Part of it was our personal assessment on where we would grade ourselves and these categories of practical application when it comes to personal evangelism, when it comes to sharing our generosity as families not just as a church, but as individuals. And so as we walked through that, we did an assessment right off the bat. And then months later, we did another assessment to follow up to see how we're doing on it. We've started incorporating annual reviews where we sit down and we've we've brought in a lot of these things that we're learning throughout this assessment process, into that dialogue that we have every year with our direct reports. And so we write these things up, we describe not only the difficult things that are going on in our lives, but also prayer requests and praises that we have. And so our desire and our prayer is to a holistically encourage, affirm, and speak life into our individuals as leaders, while also make decisions of realigning job descriptions with purpose and passion, with our vision of where we're headed. So we're in this space right now, unfortunately, to where we're in a holding pattern in some areas, because we have we just brought on our pastor search team last Sunday, they were just voted on last Sunday. And so as we kind of are in this holding pattern is what the Lord has for us next. We're just prayerful that we as individuals look more like Him today than we ever have an entire lives. And if that that is terrifying to say, but that is that is our prayer is that we look more like him. We see him rightly. We see sin rightly. And we lien His Church in a way that he would lead it better today than we ever have in our entire lives. And so that's a goal that we have as individuals, but also, it's something that we have to hold each other accountable toward. So that's some of the important things that we're walking through as a church and his leadership, and I think giving that safe space to be able to say, Hey, this is where I failed. And this is where I stink. And this is where I struggle. And this is where I'm quick to operate in the flesh. And these are lies that I'm quick to believe. And at least giving space for us to even be able to have those confrontational conversations if those are blind spots in our lives. These are all Important things that we've had to implement over the last year?
Tuck Choate 40:03
Well, I think it's extremely important to note that 99% of what you just said, is not just for the leadership, it's for every individual to be able to look at ourselves and say, Where are my weaknesses? Where can I grow? Can I do an assessment and what you were describing sounds almost exactly like a small group, where you have that relationship with the other people that you're working with, and holding each other accountable, and learn seeking to grow.
Bennett Holloway 40:34
That's right, yeah. And so if we can't lead into a space to where we can be healthy as a congregation, we can't take anyone or lead anyone, anywhere that we have not been. And so that's a lot of this last six months, has been ripping off these layers of pain, frustration, even sin, as we've been really allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate us as leaders in a way that really would glorify Him.
Tuck Choate 41:01
So we have a question from an anonymous member. And you can send your questions to Temple talk at Temple dot church, or you can visit our website at Temple dot church to submit them anonymously. But then we have the question that says, this entire series so far has been leading up to the theme of restoration. But how do we find restoration and a God that we feel like has been absent or turned his back on us? How do we learn to trust his track record? When we're in the valley? I was thinking about some of my friends and the horrible things that they're going through with their families? How do you in that moment, trust God with your whole heart? When you're in the deepest Valley? How do you see that promise? And what do you say to your friends when they're there? If you're, if you have a friend, wanting to help, or a Christian, wanting to give encouragement, how can you provide restoration to those people?
Bennett Holloway 41:57
It's so good, just so good, in my immediate answer would directly parallel some of the study that we just did in Nehemiah eight, okay, because I think it comes down to truth. And I think if we rightly see truth and understand it, that will carry us through the valleys. Even when we don't see it, we don't feel it. We don't think it. If we know what is true, that can be our anchor. And that can be a tethering rod. So let me answer the first question. Because this is the sort of spot that we often find ourselves in, whether it be by season, and some people find themselves in that season right now. But how, how do we even reconcile this idea of restoration with a God that is absent or we feel like he's turned his back on us? This is what I would challenge you to do, I would challenge you to not seek restoration, or to be rebuilt, or to be I wouldn't seek the result of knowing him, I would in this season, seek to better understand them. Because if there's an there's a perspective that he has turned his back, then there's a disconnect with his very nature and who he is. If there is a perspective that he is absent or doesn't care for you, as a person, as an individual that is suffering, then there is a disconnect with the character of the Father that we see in Scripture. And, and so I would I would seek to, I would look at, okay, I feel this way, which I understand a lot of us feel that way in different times. But I feel this way, because I believe this about God. Now, what is the word of God say about who God is? And does that align with what I'm feeling or the way I'm interpreting my circumstances. And I would argue that if talking with other people, that are believers in Jesus Christ, being a part of that group, and, and reading the Word of God, and seeking and hungering and thirsting for an intimacy with Him, I think that you will learn that we learn we are reminded that that he is present. And he pursues and he is loving. And he cares what burdens us burdens him like he he is an intimate father. He is Arba. Right. So your first question, this is a big one that that a lot of people feel and and I would say it's either because we don't really understand who he is, or we love son so much that it's hindering our relationship with Him. But I always default to it may we may not really know him, because what's going to end up happening is more we do know him, the more we'll see things like him The more will desire to see the world as he sees it. And the more will hate sin as a result from it. So it's not about behavior modification, I would say it's more about pursuing a deeper level of intimacy with the Father. And then the next question, and this is that this person gave us how do you how do you learn to trust his track record, when we're in the valley? And so I would, I would look to character studies in the Bible, I would look to man, there are many, I mean, the default that everyone goes to his job, right? When it comes to going through trials and tribulation, but I would also look at David. And I would also look at Joseph Joseph Story, for the majority of his majority of his life, he was in slavery in prison. He was in captivity. He was in a well, he, I mean, he was he was a majority of his life, he was poorly, grossly mistreated, everything seems so unfair air quotes inserted. And the see how he navigated it, I think can give us a footprint as to how maybe we can desire to see it that way too. Because what we may feel in the moment, we don't fully comprehend what he's doing in totality. Right, we're finite, we're limited. I'm a six foot four perspective, where he's eternal, and on high, and all things are beneath his feet. And so I can only know what I can perceive, unless he reveals it to me. And so I'm seeking to depend on him. And I'm asking him to grow my faith, I'm saying, I don't see it, I don't believe it. I don't think you're doing anything. And I think you've abandoned me, like, be honest with him, he's got broad shoulders, he can take it right. And so just have a natural dialogue with him about this stuff. But also recognize that his track record, and he is faithful, and he is good. And he is the Abba Father that will run after you, as the product owner returns home. He is the Son of God that was sent to him chose Calvary, even in your worst state. And so there's, there's, it was from love that He sent His Son, and it was, and it was from love of you that He sent His Son. So if you're, if you find yourself in a valley recognize that one that is temporal, and to what his eternal God has hoped for. And so that's just personal. Right? But then the question is, alright, so I can have these conversations, I can do that. But what about the people that are suffering alongside of me? What about my friends or my families that are going through times that are just unbearable? Right? How do I love them and support them? Some of the things that I'm not the best at, but what I know that are important, is one presence is significant, not always knowing the right thing to say. And so being silent and present is always more important than saying the right thing all the time. And so making sure that you're present is key. And also a thing that I believe is so important is a role that I have is to speak what is true over a situation. So I speak prophecies that the Lord reveals in Scripture over my friends that are struggling, I speak to the hope that we have in Christ I speak to what God can do and what Christ communicated. As he taught. Through the Gospels, I speak to how how Paul, and Peter, and even James as, as these writers of the New Testament, wrote, these these epistles to these churches to encourage them to affirm and to hold strong and to endure the persecution that they're going through. And so if I've a relationship with this person, to where they know that I'm not being a bible thumper, or I'm not being condescending, I'm just merely reminding them and encouraging them about the Word of God, and the hope that they have, that he is ever present. Go to Psalms, read through the entire Book of Psalms as we see almost every human emotion processed with the Creator, right. And so I would just encourage you to sit in these texts, and encourage your friend or your sibling, or your family member, not to quit being sad, but to process it at their own speed at their own pace. But remind them if they're believing lies that the enemy is using, they're not abandoned. He has not turned his back. He has not forsaken them. He loves them. And while we may not see that A while we may be in the valley, the Lord is our shepherd. And so he will lead us. And we have the Holy Spirit. And the role the Holy Spirit has in my life is significant. When it comes to giving hope, in difficult seasons, sometimes even the only thing that I can depend on, right? And so this question, man, it breaks my heart, because I know so many of us, one can relate with it. But the other side of it is, I think every single one of us can think of one person right now, that is feeling this. And so, I would encourage, encourage, encourage, as a friend, or as an individual, start everything with prayer, we pray continually, we submit things the Lord, we know that as we surrender these things, as we bring these these requests to the Father, and boldness because of what Christ did, we can in confidence, know that He hears us, and He knows us, and He sees us. And so from my perspective, starting with prayer, ending with prayer, sprinkling the truth of the Word of God, encouraging, affirming, and maybe even doing a little journaling as well, is a healthy way to process some of these dark valleys that we find ourselves in. Awesome.
Tuck Choate 51:23
Thank you so much for that. If you have a question, please reach out at Temple talk at Temple dot church, or on our website at Temple dot church. Ben, as we close what encouragement is on your heart, for our listeners this week,
Bennett Holloway 51:38
man, my big thing right now is, so majority of our listeners right now are temple people. And so I would just strongly encourage you to just enjoy what the Lord is doing right now at our church, see how he is moving and ask ask him, ask him, Lord, what do you have for me? Let none of us poorly steward the season that we find ourselves in that temple. This is an opportunity that the Lord is desiring to move in a powerful way, not just as a church, but it as a church through the people that make up the church, read Ephesians four, pray that say, Lord, as a saint, how have you gifted me what is the role that you want me to do? Because there are ministries and there are people there are miracles that God's desiring to do through temple through the people of Temple to see him be glorified. And so my encouragement would be man, draw close and celebrate, celebrate what God is doing, celebrate and pray for this pastor, search team, celebrate in small groups. Celebrate as we come into a season of prayer and fasting and Thanksgiving in the month of November, celebrate as we marched towards Emanuelle, Christ coming and Christmas, like celebrate all of these beautiful festivities. We can and do it in community because that's where it's beautiful.
Tuck Choate 53:05
Thank you so much for joining us. Bennett. Thank you so much for all of our listeners for joining us for temple talk today. We will be back next week. Thank you for joining us for another episode of Temple talk. We hope that Digging into God's Word together has enriched your perspective and broad encouragement. If you have any questions or topics you'd like to hear discussed on the podcast, feel free to email them at Temple talk at Temple dot church. You can also visit our website at Temple dot church for more resources. We pray God will continue to bless you and your loved ones as you seek Him in Scripture. We'll see you next time on Temple Talk.