October 5, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | The Spirit-filled Life: Being Filled with Honor | Ephesians 5:21

Though this is a very familiar passage, we must see it as a part of Paul’s subject which he began in verse 15 and centers in the statement in v.18: “be filled with the Spirit.” He has instructed us to Be Filled with Wisdom (v.15-18) and to Be Filled with Thanks (v.18-20). He now turns to his third imperative: Be Filled with Honor, which begins in v.21 and continues all the way through chapter 6:9. This section is the longest and includes a listing of Christian relationship all centered in the key of Honoring One Another or submitting to one another as he has stated in v.21.

September 28, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | Life to Death to Life | 1 Thessalonians 13-18

September 21, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | Marching to the Cross: The Hour to be Lifted Up | John 12:26

The disciples are in shock. They thought they were entering into a discipleship relationship to a man who was wise, who could work miracles, and who even might become noteworthy in their religious circles. But He has surprised them again and again. They speak of His mission as one of messianic glory. He speaks of dying. They are looking into their hearts and wondering if this all was a mistake. Jesus is looking into their hearts and calling them to absolute loyally and servitude.

September 14, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | Marching to the Cross: Serving the True Master | John 12:26-43

Today we will continue to examine the statements that Jesus began in verse 23 with the words: Jesus replied, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” How strange it must have seemed that Jesus brought forth these words in response to Philip and Andrew bringing the request for a personal visit with Jesus by a group of Greek visitors to Jerusalem. But not strange at all in the light of what we have seen taking place over the past two chapters in which John outlines again and again how mis-understood and even non-understood Jesus’ had been by all those around him. They were looking at a singular, Jewish interpretation of the Messiah. Jesus would not fulfill their expectations. As a result they were missing Him and misunderstanding everything He was preaching to them. They had missed the Messiah because their unregenerate, dead nature was blinding them. They were yet dead in trespasses and sins.

September 7, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | Marching to the Cross: The Seed to be Sown | John 12:20-32

August 31, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | The Prince of Peace Comes | John 12:9-19

August 24, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | A Love Greater than Treasure | John 12:1-7

This is one of the most non-complex and simply presented passages in all the Gospel of John. As we first read it, we see something that seems on the surface to be incidental - very much just a narrative report. Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus's feet and wipes it with her hair. Judas rebukes her action as wasteful, Jesus makes the curious statement that the poor would be in the world always, and John comments that Judas was driven by his thievery. But what would move Mary to such an action? Was she unconcerned about using the expensive oil as a foot wash because she was very rich? Is this the lesson of this passage - because Mary is rich, she is out of touch with the real world? Or maybe John is simply identifying Judas as the reprobate thief he was.

August 17, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | The Seventh Sign: The Separating Savior | John 11:45-57

Whenever Christ is presented, the result is division. Not the immediate view of division as disruption of groups or people who hold the same general views, but are thrown into confusion and conflict with each other, such as in a church split.

August 10, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | What We Were, Is Not What We Are | 1 Corinthians 6:9-12

August 3, 2014 | Pastor John Bayles | The Life Giver | John 11:1-43