June 30, 2013 | John Bayles | A Present and Future Hope (Hosea 14:1-9)

In this final plea to the nation of Israel, we see the passion of the prophet and the God Who has sent him. Very reflective of the heart of the Lord in the ministry of Joel, as He holds out one more time the hand of forgiveness, are the words, “Even now....” (Joel 2:14). So too, here Hosea extends the mercy of God to this vile and backslidden people, not with the hope of their repentance, but as an assurance to Himself and to all the hosts of history, that though they are covenant breakers, He has not wavered in faithfully keeping His word to His people, Israel.

June 23, 2013 | John Bayles | The Terrible, Swift Sword (Hosea 13:4-16)

Giving thanks is a gift God has given to us. It could be argued that it is also an exclusive gift, in that there is no other example in all of creation that any other creature gives thanks for anything. But, in order for us to give thanks we must first acknowledge that there is something to give thanks for. This acknowledgement is also a gift of grace, especially for the people of God.

June 16, 2013 | John Bayles | Experiencing the Love of God (Ephesians 3:17-19)

We have all experienced God’s love, we can see it in the grace He has extended to us in creation, in general providence, and in our personal testimonies. But Paul is praying for us today. He is praying that we will come to know the love of God even more fully. He is praying that we might see the love of God as it is expanded through the lens of our corporate experience.

June 2, 2013 | John Bayles | When Worldviews Collide (Hosea 12:7-14)

As we draw near to our conclusion of the book of Hosea, we continue to hear the same drum beat of judgement against the nation. It is not a new message, for from the time of the first king, Israel began to turn from their God. When it comes to a view of money, we will find a very clear distinction of what money is for, who money belongs to, what money can buy, and who owns the power, position, and distinction of money. Using this very common illustration and a knowledge of the trade practices of this time frame, Hosea shows that Israel has moved wholesale into a man-centered worldview. And this man-centered worldview is in direct conflict with God.

May 26, 2013 | John Bayles | When Darkness is Your Light (Hosea 11:12 - 12:14)

Jesus said that if the light that is in you is darkness, then how great is that darkness. If we use the word revelation in the place of darkness it magnifies the meaning. As we look at Hosea's indictment against Israel he draws upon the patriarch Jacob as one who was deceived himself and deceived others.

April 28, 2013 | John Bayles | Lost in Self-indulgence (Hosea 10:1-8)

This passage today carries with it an amazing historic fact. Where on the earth are the false altars of Baal, the sacred idols, and people who practice the vile sacrifices of the cult? They are in museums, covered either by yards of dirt, or broken down in remote places on the earth. Why? Because of a self-indulgent people carried off by the lust of their self-interest, self-love, and self-worship.

April 21, 2013 | John Bayles | Give Me Thirty Minutes

"If God is good, then how could this happen?" This is a very common phrase often aimed at Christians when suffering, death, or calamity springs up in our lives. The recent terrorist activities in Boston have once again stirred up this question.

March 24, 2013 | John Bayles | Setting the Stage for a Victorious Death (John 12:1-11)

The anointing at Bethany is one of the most beautiful narratives found in the Gospels. In this message we will sit among the disciples and guests at a dinner organized in honor of Jesus' recent magnificent introduction of his messianic life and mission. At this dinner aimed to present him as the geopolitical leader of Israel, Jesus is anointed for his death, as the suffering, dying servant of Isaiah's vision.

March 3, 2013 | John Bayles | Repent, Lest You Too Perish (Hosea 5:8-7:1)

In today's message we will hear again the awful judgement of God against Israel. They are called a nation of prostitution and worshippers of vile gods. Even the honored priesthood of Israel has turned away from the Lord and is leading people into the depths of depravity for personal profit. The message, though understandable, may seem quite remote and irrelevant to us who live in the new covenant of grace, covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, and living at peace with God or sins forgiven.

February 24, 2013 | John Bayles | The Message of Foolishness and Power (1 Corinthians 1:18)

The default condition of humanity is sin. Every human person is born into the environment of sin, because humanity is fallen - from the time of Adam and Eve until today. We can ignore it, deny it, or scorn it as foolishness, but it continues to be our plight. We live in a world of self-consciousness, self-protection, self-preservation, and self-love. We are lost in the blindness and darkness of self. As Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matthew 6:22,23).