May 29, 2011 | John Mazariegos | It's Mixed-Bag Folk That Change The World (Matthew 28:16-20)

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted" (Matthew 28:16,17).

This is one of the most amazing texts in the Bible. After all that Jesus did and said, even after His resurrection, some of those who followed Him for three years and later would change the world, doubted Him.

Stories of Death and Life

Last evening John Mazariegos, missionary to San Luis Potosi, Mexico spoke at the Maryland Correctional Training Center in Hagerstown. The room was filled with inmates enthusiastic about the moving worship service and eager to hear the Word of God, as Johnny spoke:

"Many of you have stories floating around in your minds tonight. Stories of death that have been told to you from your childhood. Stories that have shaped your view of the world and your view of yourselves. Many of these stores are lies from hell. You have believed them to such a deep level that they have brought you to believe that you have no dignity, no goodness, nothing of value. I believe that God is going to crush these stores of death tonight and speak a new story into your minds."

This Wednesday Night. 7 PM. The Relevancy of Revelation.

Last Saturday's failed prediction of the end of the world is yet another evidence that many current views of end times events need to be radically adjusted. In order to properly interpret the signs of the times, we must give special attention to the Bible, through which these subjects are revealed. This course takes much of the sensationalism out of end times studies, and inserts sound biblical interpretation in its place. Subjects include: how to interpret prophetic literature such as Matthew 24, and a review of the historical context of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and how this impacts our current views of biblical prophecy. Don't be tossed around by every wind of teaching as Ephesians 4:12 states, but come and learn the reliable and reasonable truth about biblical prophecy.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study. 11 AM.

Acts 10:47 ff.

"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water?" Peter has observed in principle the magnificent revelation that the Gospel may be preached to the Gentiles. Now we will see in practice Peter himself being the first orator to them. This shift in emphasis literally changed the course of Christianity from being a regional Jewish sect to a force that expanded on to the world stage. And already converted was a Pharisee named Saul who would carry this revelation of God's grace to the Gentiles to the whole Roman world.

May 22, 2011 | John Bayles | Living in the Calling of the Master (Romans 15:14-22)

We may wonder what compelled the early messengers of the Christian Gospel. If it was their personal ambition to build a name for themselves or amass personal wealth, very likely the message of the Gospel would have ended when they died. Paul outlines again in today's text that his desire to proclaim the Gospel is deeply rooted in his calling to fulfill his Master's command. Amazingly, we as 21st century Christians have this same foundation for our lives. Will we proclaim the Gospel with the same determination as the One who first gave it to us?

Pilgrimage of a Spirit-Filled, Reformed Christian

By Pastor John L. Bayles, M.Div.

All of my life I have had a Christian influence. Before I could walk, my parents carried me to church. At the age of seven, I made a public dedication of my belief in Christ and His work for me at Calvary. And, in the Southern Baptist way, I was baptized the very night I made this profession of faith. Baptist life was generous, transferring a knowledge of God and His Word to me from this young age. Sunday School, Training Union, Royal Ambassadors and myriad retreats, camps, visitation nights, and revivals all made up my religious training. During the Valentine’s Day banquet, I even wore the “king’s” crown for highest percentage of Christian duty according to the Six Point Record System several years running.

This Wednesday: Olivet Discourse!

How too few Christians have even a slight understanding of what took place in Jerusalem in AD 70. This event however had a major impact on both the Jewish and the Christian faiths. This video series and live discussion bring us into a view of biblical prophecy and an end times orientation that adjust what we have had taught to us about this subject in the past and how it has a major bearing on how we view important issues such as personal calling and evangelism today.

May 15, 2011 | John Bayles | The Reflective Faith (Romans 15:7-13)

The Christian faith is not what we each individually shape it into by our opinions - the Christian faith has its own message to tell. One of the the misconceptions is that if we stop or begin certain behavior that is expressed to be sin, then we are Christians. The problem with this idea is that it denies something basic to Christian teaching - you cannot stop or start behavior that produces any level of merit before a holy and just God. So what is the resolution? The apostle Paul outlines the means to present ourselves to God. It is by living a reflective life.

Remembering Mom

In 1974, I was newly married, held a part time job, had very little idea of what to do with my life, and possessed no savings to speak of – so what was my plan?

Buy a brand-new car!

A Volvo too: because they retained their value and were overall really great cars. It seemed like a great idea. So, I went to Dad to share my brilliance. So what did he say? – I think he gave me about nineteen really good reasons why this was a risky idea. He didn’t seem impressed by the value that a Volvo would hold, or the low maintenance and safety features. He reasoned I should save for the car, be content with what I had, you know, be patient.

So after my talk with him, I had one with Mom.