January 15, 2012 | John Bayles | Paul, Timothy, False Teachers, and False Teachings (1st & 2nd Timothy)

As stated last week, a key to understanding any given text is to first understand the context, both historical and literal, in which it was written. Today's sermon will focus on the three players appearing in Paul's letters to Timothy. We see Paul's own struggles, sometimes stated clearly, sometimes coming out from the shadows of his comments, but always powerful and instructive. Paul's exhortations to Timothy are what every one of us would desire to receive from a mentor, a wise parent, or a more seasoned Christian friend.

January 8, 2012 | John Bayles | Detained, Yet Fruitful (1 Timothy 1:1-2)

In this first in a series of sermons in his first letter to Timothy we will see the urgency that the Apostle Paul brings to his discourse with his young son in the Lord. This is clearly an intimate letter and one which captures the desire of a man detained by prison to prepare his young protege for ministry.

January 1, 2012 | John Bayles | Go Into All The World: Looking for Showers, Content with Raindrops (Psalms 126:1-6)

Can you recall those first days of your spiritual birth; those moments and days when your heart was awakened by Jesus? The Word was alive and near, worship was thrilling, prayer was like breathing. Do you sometimes look back to some former day and say, "I so deeply long to return to those days!" Or, "Lord bring those days again!" This is the cry of the psalmist and the congregation of saints who neared Jerusalem each year and sang the Songs of Zion (the Psalms of Ascent). Today's text reaches into the depths of our longing to experience again or anew the times of refreshing. As the text states, "Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongues with singing." And in response to these emotions the cry continues, "Turn again our captivity, O Lord."

December 18, 2011 | John Bayles | Go Into All the World: The Tabernacle of God and Man (1 John 1:1-14)

The Incarnation of Christ is a critical subject for us to understand. Though this falls into the category of understanding what is ultimately incomprehensible, the Bible does overwhelmingly and consistently teach the Trinity of God and the incarnation of the Son of God and the man Jesus. In an attempt to be understandable, the risk is present to confuse or mislead. But this dynamic does not excuse us as Bible interpreters from exploring this mysterious relationship between the human (the carnal) and the divine (the Son of God) who "Tabernacled" together in order that the designs of the latter might be accomplished and the weaknesses of the former might be overcome.

December 11, 2011 | John Bayles | Go Into All The World: A Race To Run (Hebrews 12:1-3)

How many of us participated in formal athletics at one time or other. Most of the time this brings fond memories of days gone by when we were younger, fitter, and willing to sacrifice most anything to the sport we loved to play. Can you still fit into that team uniform today? Is that passion matched by conditions still at the same peak level? If the answer is no to these questions, then we have a life example of what the author of Hebrews is driving at with his hearers and us today.

December 4, 2011 | S. Molla | Digging For Treasure

Most Christians are fairly confident in giving a reason for their faith and are able to cite key passages of the Bible. However, many are caught off guard when the Bible itself is attacked, undermining the very source of their arguments.

November 27, 2011 | John Bayles | Go Into All The World: Mandates of Kingdom Citizenship - Part 2 (Matthew 5:13-43)

This sermon is an expansion of the principle of imperative mandates flowing from the indicative action of Christ at the cross. But mandates they are. In this sermon the mandates of Kingdom citizenship are examined from Matthew 5:13 ff. The sermon is built upon the Reformed principal: "We are saved by grace alone, but not a grace that is alone." As the presentation stresses, we must continually be aware that we are living a reflective faith and taking initiative in our Christian witness not because we must, but because we can.

November 20, 2011 | Go Into All The World: Mandates of Kingdom Citizenship - Part 1 (Matthew 5:13-43)

There are statements in the scriptures that state established, unchangeable, indicative facts. For example, Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." The truth of the phrase is not ongoing, nor contingent upon further actions – it is an indicative statement. There are many of these types of statements in the scriptures, and many of them have to do with the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross. Others have to do with God's view of us and our status: "You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus." These are complete, finished realities – they are indicative statements.

November 13, 2011 | John Bayles | Go Into All The World: Napkins and Placemats - Part 2 (Romans 10:1-17)

Drawing upon the first lesson, during this sermon there will be a practical presentation of the Gospel. So often we think of the Gospel being shared in church or at some evangelistic meeting. This should not be the major case. During the one-on-one time we spend with established or developing relationships over a meal or casual conversation, we need to be ready to share a simple, yet comprehensive presentation of the Gospel. The audio quality is not of the best quality (see note below), but the message is worth the effort to master. May you find the words of Jesus to be a reality in your life this week: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last" (John 15:16).

November 6, 2011 | John Bayles | Go Into All the World: Napkins and Placemats - Part 1 (Romans 10:1-17)

In this sermon, we will make a close examination of the Substance of the Gospel and then the Spread of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul is not acting independently from the Lord, as this text so dramatically reveals. Far from a personal passion that weighted the mind and actions of one man, the mandate to share the Gospel is the core job description of each and every Christian from the time Jesus gave it to the present day.