Nov 3, 2024
Habits of Joyfulness (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Life is not always happy. There are times when sad things happen, and it is good for us to feel sad and grieve during those times. But it is not good for us to be unhappy all the time or to let the unhappy things take away the joy that God wants us to have in our hearts all the time. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 gives three commands that bring us joy when we consistently obey them.
The first habit of joyfulness is to “rejoice evermore.” To rejoice means to express gladness. There is always something that we can be glad of, even in the worst circumstances, because our joy comes from God, Who never changes.
The second habit of joyfulness is to “pray without ceasing.” We should constantly pray, talking to God and letting our requests be made known. When we pray, and God answers, that results in joy for us.
The third habit of happiness we must practice is giving thanks. We must express our gratitude to God. Whining and complaining rob us of our joy and will lead to a loss of faith. It is the result of focusing on the problems instead of the promises of God. Giving thanks fixes our focus. It causes us to dwell on the things that are good more than the bad things.
You can be a joyful Christian, even if your circumstances are sad. But for that to happen, you must follow God’s instructions. As you build the habits of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks, you will find that God will keep His promise and give you His joy, a joy that no one can take away from you.
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  • Nov 3, 2024Habits of Joyfulness (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
    Nov 3, 2024
    Habits of Joyfulness (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
    Life is not always happy. There are times when sad things happen, and it is good for us to feel sad and grieve during those times. But it is not good for us to be unhappy all the time or to let the unhappy things take away the joy that God wants us to have in our hearts all the time. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 gives three commands that bring us joy when we consistently obey them.
    The first habit of joyfulness is to “rejoice evermore.” To rejoice means to express gladness. There is always something that we can be glad of, even in the worst circumstances, because our joy comes from God, Who never changes.
    The second habit of joyfulness is to “pray without ceasing.” We should constantly pray, talking to God and letting our requests be made known. When we pray, and God answers, that results in joy for us.
    The third habit of happiness we must practice is giving thanks. We must express our gratitude to God. Whining and complaining rob us of our joy and will lead to a loss of faith. It is the result of focusing on the problems instead of the promises of God. Giving thanks fixes our focus. It causes us to dwell on the things that are good more than the bad things.
    You can be a joyful Christian, even if your circumstances are sad. But for that to happen, you must follow God’s instructions. As you build the habits of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks, you will find that God will keep His promise and give you His joy, a joy that no one can take away from you.
  • Oct 27, 2024A Saint In All Seasons Part 2 Aged Women (Titus 2:3)
    Oct 27, 2024
    A Saint In All Seasons Part 2 Aged Women (Titus 2:3)
    The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
  • Oct 20, 2024A Saint In All Seasons Part 1 Older Men (Titus 2:1-2)
    Oct 20, 2024
    A Saint In All Seasons Part 1 Older Men (Titus 2:1-2)
    But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
    That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
  • Oct 20, 2024Christ-centered Care (Acts 9:32-35)
    Oct 20, 2024
    Christ-centered Care (Acts 9:32-35)
    Jesus performed numerous miracles when He was on the earth, many of which involved healing the sick. Those miracles proved that Jesus was God the Son and the Savior of the world. They were the stimulus for many conversations that led people to have saving faith in the Gospel.
    The apostles of Jesus followed His example with the Holy Spirit working through them to heal many who were sick. The way that the followers of Christ cared for physical needs as they preached the gospel is instructive for us today.
    One story is found in Acts 9:32-35. In it, Peter went to a town called Lydda, and there he met a man who was lame. When Peter saw him, he first had compassion for the cripple. He did not overlook this man’s need.
    The way Peter met his need was with Christ-centered care. Peter knew that the solution to the man’s problems could only be found in Christ, so he announced, “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.”
    The result of God’s work in the man’s life was the conversion of two cities to Christianity. When people saw a walking example of the power of God, they turned to Christ in faith and were saved.
    As we seek to reach the world with the gospel, we must show genuine compassion for the lost by noticing their needs and working to meet them. Our care for them must be Christ-centered so that they may be drawn to the Savior. As we do, God will bless, and others will also see that we, like our Savior, love them “in deed and in truth.”
  • Oct 13, 2024A Healthy Church Part 2 (Acts 9:31)
    Oct 13, 2024
    A Healthy Church Part 2 (Acts 9:31)
    Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
    When we are first introduced to Saul in the New Testament, he is the ringleader of the persecution of the church. But one day, he met Jesus, and that changed everything. He stopped persecuting Christians and started preaching the gospel.
    After Saul’s conversion, the believers enjoyed a season of less persecution. But while they were resting, they were still very active. Acts 9:31 says, “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
    This verse describes four characteristics of a spiritually healthy church: Edification, Sanctification, Consolation, and Multiplication. We can also say that these traits will be found in the life of a spiritually healthy Christian since the character of the church is a reflection of the character of its members. The church will only be as healthy as the members who make up the church. Therefore, we must each be growing spiritually and walking with God.
  • Oct 13, 2024The Image of God (Special Music)
    Oct 13, 2024
    The Image of God (Special Music)
    "The Image of God" Lyrics by Susan Bentall Boersma written for Brock McCauley and God's disabled children, all of whom bear His image. Brock McCauley is a beautiful six-year-old boy. He is also a person who has Down syndrome, autism, a sensory processing disorder and an immune deficiency. But more importantly, like each of us, he bears the image of God. The truth of Psalm 139 reminds us that we are all created in God's image, uniquely gifted for His own plan and purpose. Music by Craig Courtney. Preformed by Philadelphia Baptist Church Choir.
  • Oct 13, 2024A Healthy Church Part 1 (Acts 9:31)
    Oct 13, 2024
    A Healthy Church Part 1 (Acts 9:31)
    Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
    When we are first introduced to Saul in the New Testament, he is the ringleader of the persecution of the church. But one day, he met Jesus, and that changed everything. He stopped persecuting Christians and started preaching the gospel.
    After Saul’s conversion, the believers enjoyed a season of less persecution. But while they were resting, they were still very active. Acts 9:31 says, “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
    This verse describes four characteristics of a spiritually healthy church: Edification, Sanctification, Consolation, and Multiplication. We can also say that these traits will be found in the life of a spiritually healthy Christian since the character of the church is a reflection of the character of its members. The church will only be as healthy as the members who make up the church. Therefore, we must each be growing spiritually and walking with God.
  • Oct 13, 2024Perfect Peace (Special Music)
    Oct 13, 2024
    Perfect Peace (Special Music)
    Special Music 
  • Oct 6, 2024A Burden For Missions
    Oct 6, 2024
    A Burden For Missions
    Missions Conference 2024
  • Oct 6, 2024Jesus Our Sacrificial Lamb
    Oct 6, 2024
    Jesus Our Sacrificial Lamb
    Missions Conference 2024
  • Sep 22, 2024Light Living
    Sep 22, 2024
    Light Living

    Salt And Light Living

    Matthew 5-7 records for us the greatest sermon ever preached, the sermon of our Savior. We call it the sermon on the mount and Jesus is speaking to his followers on the characteristics of the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. He starts by describing the character they ought to have in what we call the Beatitudes. When we have these attitudes, we become a living testimony of God’s work in our lives.

    Jesus illustrates this in his sermon by using two common objects: salt and light. These symbols of salt and light refer to the enriching and preserving influence that we as believers are to have on the world around us by showing and sharing Jesus Christ. Salt speaks of our character as believers, that inward work of God in us. Light speaks of our conduct, that outward work as God works through us, that others may see our good works and glorify our Father, Who is in heaven.

    Salt and light give us illumination and instruction in our daily lives as Kingdom citizens in a sinful world. God has left us here for a purpose. His desire for each of us as his children is for us to be a positive spiritual influence on the world around us for the glory of God.

  • Sep 22, 2024Salt Living (Matthew 5)
    Sep 22, 2024
    Salt Living (Matthew 5)
    Matthew 5-7 records for us the greatest sermon ever preached, the sermon of our Savior. We call it the sermon on the mount and Jesus is speaking to his followers on the characteristics of the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. He starts by describing the character they ought to have in what we call the Beatitudes. When we have these attitudes, we become a living testimony of God’s work in our lives.
    Jesus illustrates this in his sermon by using two common objects: salt and light. These symbols of salt and light refer to the enriching and preserving influence that we as believers are to have on the world around us by showing and sharing Jesus Christ. Salt speaks of our character as believers, that inward work of God in us. Light speaks of our conduct, that outward work as God works through us, that others may see our good works and glorify our Father, Who is in heaven.
    Salt and light give us illumination and instruction in our daily lives as Kingdom citizens in a sinful world. God has left us here for a purpose. His desire for each of us as his children is for us to be a positive spiritual influence on the world around us for the glory of God.
  • Sep 15, 2024A Tale of Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)
    Sep 15, 2024
    A Tale of Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)
    It is incredible how people born to the same parents and raised in the same home can turn out completely opposite. Sometimes, they do not even resemble one another in appearance; other times, they look similar, but their personalities are polar opposites. The differences between even close relatives are often by God’s design to display His glory through the diversity of His creation.
    But not all differences are good. When one person makes right choices, and another does not, their lives will look very different. Even more importantly, our choices impact eternity. Sometimes, the difference between people is literally the difference between heaven and hell.
    In Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus told a parable about two sons who were polar opposites. There were those among Jesus’ audience who thought they were better than others because they gave a good impression of being righteous, but their religion was lip service. They did not obey God from their hearts, and so they were still lost in their sins. They needed to understand that it makes little difference what you say, but it makes all the difference what you do. It is not enough to give the impression that you are right. You must repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved from your sin and death in hell.
  • Sep 1, 2024Burden For Believers
    Sep 1, 2024
    Burden For Believers
  • Sep 1, 2024Not Good Enough (Mark 10:17)
    Sep 1, 2024
    Not Good Enough (Mark 10:17)
    Many people imagine that getting to heaven is simply a matter of ensuring your good works outweigh your bad. If you try to be kind and avoid any enormous sins like murder or robbing a bank, then you are good enough to go to heaven when you die. All false religions teach this concept in one form or another.
    According to this thinking, sin and good works are like plusses and minuses in your bank account. As long as you keep your balance in the positive and do not overdraft your good works account, you are fine. But the Bible teaches something entirely different. The Bible says that our good works cannot save us and our righteous deeds are worse than worthless. They are like filthy rags fit only for the garbage.
    One day, Jesus encountered a young man who wanted to know how to have eternal life. He was a rich, educated, religious man who thought he was pretty good, maybe even good enough to get to heaven. And if he wasn’t, he certainly wasn’t far from it. Jesus knew what was in the man’s heart, and, in a brief conversation, He revealed a truth that our eternity hinges on: we are not good enough. There is only One who is truly good, and that One is God. The only way that we can be saved from eternal death in hell and receive eternal life is to admit that we are not good enough and trust in Jesus for our salvation.